#love and producer fanfic

[ellie-winthrope]

The Rain’s Requiem - [Lucien]

He possesses a memory that never forgets anything he has seen, yet ironically, the details of his past elude him … except for the haunting memory of that tragic rainy evening.

Words: 694 words

The incessant pitter-patter of raindrops on the unforgiving asphalt road drowned out all other sounds in its relentless symphony. Amidst the shroud of darkness on that dreary evening, the sporadic flashes of the traffic light stood out conspicuously. A tall, drenched man in a somber trench coat remained motionless by the pedestrian crossing, his usually nonchalant face now etched with a desolate expression.

It was a scene all too familiar, one he had witnessed countless times.

Bloody umbrellas were strewn about while the bodies of a family of three were sprawled haphazardly across the road. Puddles of blood had formed under those three, mixing along with the unabating rain. One of them was a young boy with a red scarf wrapped around his neck. He was lying on his side with blood splatters covering part of his ghostly-pale face, while blood continued to seep through the fabric of his black short coat, forming several darker patches on it.

Having lost so much blood, it was unlikely for the boy to survive this. In fact, if not for the barely noticeable twitching of his fingers, none would have thought that the boy was still alive. Perhaps, it would have been better for the boy if he had died at that time.

That was what the man had thought.

The man slowly closed his eyes and the sound of rain ceased instantly. When he opened his eyes, the scene before him had changed. He was no longer in the dark and gloomy city. Instead, he now found himself standing under a familiar camphor tree on a bright cloudy day.

The little boy with a red scarf that he saw in the previous scene was currently standing a few steps in front of him. Although he was wearing the same outfit as in the earlier scene, there were no signs of blood or injuries on the boy. Instead, he was clutching a familiar sketchbook within his arms, while eyeing the man curiously from head to toe.

“Who are you?”

It was a simple question, one that the man knew the answer.

I am who you will be in the future.

Still, he couldn’t bring himself to say it because it was a truth that was too bitter for him to swallow. If the boy knew of the things he had done in the shadows and the kind of life he had led after that fateful evening, he too would deny such a future and the man wouldn’t blame him for that. Indeed, no one could have envisioned such a future for the boy.

After a moment of thought, the man had finally answered the boy with a smile, which was as vacant as the void within his violet eyes.

“I am … the person you least expected to be in the future.”

Right after saying that, the man suddenly found himself leaning back against the chair in his office at the research center. It took him a second to realize that he had dozed off earlier while taking a break from work. Draping a hand over his eyes, he let out a soft sigh that seemed to echo within the silent room.

This was part of the reason why he rarely sleeps. Whenever he sleeps, he will dream and the only dream he will see will be that rainy evening, which was the only piece of his past that he could remember in vivid details. Nevertheless, it was a memory that he wouldn’t want to remember if he could help it, since it signified the losses that he could never be able to regain no matter how hard he tried.

Who are you?

The sight of the little boy looking up at him with bright violet eyes that were gleaming with curiosity and innocence had resurfaced upon his mind, causing him to clench his fist unknowingly.

That boy… was no longer in this world.

On that rainy evening, the little boy with the red scarf had died along with his parents in the car accident.

The one that was currently living in his place was merely an empty husk that went by the name of Lucien Xu.

#mr love queen's choice #mr love mobile #love and producer #恋与制作人 #Mr love fanfic #mlqc fanfic #love and producer fanfic #mlqc #mlqc lucien #mlqc xu mo #mr love lucien #mr love xu mo #lucien xu

[thedummysdummy]

I'll Always Find You

Part 1 can be found here: One Small Decision

All the responses had been the same. “Nope, haven’t seen or heard from her.” Victor slammed a fist on his desk in desperation-fueled frustration. He could go to the police, he supposed, but doubted they’d take him seriously. It had been less than 24 hours and she was an adult. They’d had a fight. He’d just be eye-rolled out of their office…

So he went back to the stack of evolvers. Every minute ticking by was a drip of water torture serving to drive him insane. He called her after each page and despite the calls going straight to voicemail each time, Victor found himself holding his breath through that single ring. Stupid, stupid, stupid…

Everything paused as he flipped the page and found himself face-to-page with Ernest Elm, evol: tracking. It was almost too perfect to be true. Victor picked up his phone and dialed the number, hand holding the phone shaking and the other tapping the desk while his knee bounced. Two, three, four times it rang before a voice came on the line. “Hello?”

“Hello, is this Ernest Elm? This is Victor Li. I need your evol’s assistance.” 

~~~

An hour later, the redheaded and freckled Ernest stood in Victor’s office at LFG. He couldn’t have been older than twenty, with nervous eyes and twitchy hands. “Sit, sit,” Victor invited, gesturing to the chair where the girl usually parked herself. The young man did so, and Victor skipped the small talk. “Thank you for coming. Tell me about your evol. What do you need for it to work?”

“I, uh. Just need something that belongs to the person, and then I can see a thread that leads back to the owner. I usually just use it to return lost items, sir. I don’t know that it’s super helpful…” 

Victor rifled around in his desk and emerged with a small, well-loved shiba inu plushie. “If you don’t think it’s very helpful, Mr. Elm, then you have not spent enough time thinking of applications. You would be the most efficient search and rescue officer Loveland has ever seen. You could track down criminals, trafficked women and children, or missing persons. I would say that is a most noble evol.” He lifted his dark eyes and connected them to Ernest’s. “What are the limitations?” 

The young man seemed slightly taken aback by Victor’s statements. Could he really be that important? A smile settled onto his face and Ernest visibly relaxed. “I haven’t really found a distance limit, but the person does have to be alive. Sir, before we do this…would this person want to be found? I mean, I’m not helping you be a creepy stalker or anything, right?” 

“She would want to be found, yes. It’s possible that she might be in danger, so shall we get started?” Victor’s voice had regained its sharp edge and Ernest straightened in his seat. He accepted the doll with some amount of apprehension while Victor looked on with concentration. 

“Do you have a map? It would be easiest for me to tell you where she is if I have a map to draw you a path.”

Victor pulled a map of Loveland out of his desk drawer and scooted it over along with a pen. He folded his hands over his knee and swallowed the feelings of concern at the phrase ‘does have to be alive.’ But his dark eyes remained focused on Ernest’s face as the man held the toy and scrunched up his face. 

There was a long pause as tension hung heavy in the air before Ernest reached for the pen. He seemed to be following roads with one eye closed and the tip of the pen hovering over the map until it lingered over the industrial side of Loveland. The pen lowered until it kissed the map, leaving a small dot. “That’s the spot, sir.” 

Victor scooped up the map and examined the place where the marking lay. “Thank you. I must be going now. Goldman will give you your pay and escort you out.” Without further discourse, Victor disappeared down the hallway with his phone in one hand and map in the other. 

Speed limits were for people who didn’t have anywhere important to be. At least, that seemed to be Victor’s attitude as he flew down the side streets which led to the sketchier parts of Loveland. It was all but confirmed in his mind that she had been kidnapped at this point; there was no reason why she would have willingly ended up in the dilapidated industrial sector. 

The further out he went, the fewer cars he passed until he turned onto the final road and found himself completely alone. Whoever these people were, they had obviously gotten all of their training from bad films and crime novels. Victor pulled into the marked parking lot and stopped the car at the far end, not wanting to alert anyone inside to his presence earlier than was necessary. 

Victor slipped through the first strains of darkness to flatten himself against the wall of the building. So far he hadn’t seen or heard anyone, but that didn’t mean there weren’t eyes on him. Practically a wraith, he slipped around the outside until he found a door whose lock had been smashed. It opened easily and Victor entered without a sound. 

Unfortunately, the building was quite large and there was no telling where the girl was being kept. Victor listened carefully for any sound, but was only struck by the vast silence of the building’s hollow carapace. His keen eyes swirled as they scanned the floor for any sign of passage; however, it appeared he would not be so lucky. So he pushed forward into the depths of the building, the dim light providing only little guidance as he walked the halls. 

Door after door Victor paused outside and listened, pushing open those he could when he heard nothing behind them. Honestly, he’d expected to find guards by now, but obviously this was a small  or inexperienced bunch. How they’d managed to catch someone as capable as his dummy made no sense if they were that inept, but the ‘how’ could wait. 

When faced with the realization that he’d scoured the entire first floor, Victor paused at the stairwell. It went both up into higher floors and down beneath ground, and there still was no real sign which way he should check. He chose downstairs for multiple reasons; firstly, it was easier to drag an unwilling captive down than up. Secondly, underground would allow them to use lights without drawing attention to their abandoned abode. 

It seemed his reasoning was sound. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, a slight glow called from the far end of the hallway. Victor felt his heart rate increase as he knew he was on the correct path. Every cell in his body screamed for him to throw caution to the wind and race to the girl’s side, but thankfully the ones in charge of action still managed to maintain some semblance of order. 

At least enough order for him to only run to the end of the hallway as silently as he could manage and stop outside the door to listen. Two male voices conversed in hushed tones, low enough that Victor couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. He pressed his ear against the door in an attempt to hear better, only to wish he hadn’t. 

“We should just finish the job. We’ve had our fun and at this point, she’s a liability. She’s seen our faces and we can’t let that go.” 

“I suppose you’re right. But I want to have a little more fun, first. Where’d that knife go?” 

A soft rustling accompanied a muffled groan and squeak of fear. The sound of skin slapping skin and a pained squeal brought the fury which had been building in Victor’s stomach into his extremities. He burst through the door, taking in the scene in one swoop. It wasn’t a large room; in fact, it barely held three chairs and a small table. The girl was tied to the chair in the center of the room, her head resting on her chest and blood splattered here and there on the floor. She looked up at the sudden noise and revealed a bloody gag tied around her mouth, the crimson stain originating just above her right eyebrow and flowing its way down to the dirty cloth. 

Her eyes were dull and cloudy as her mind seemed to struggle to understand what she was seeing. However, it really only took a few moments for it to register that Victor had arrived, savior of the day. Tears welled up in those eyes and she seemed to be reaching for him with as much vigor as she could manage while being actually unable to move. 

Victor didn’t have time to release her, however, before her pair of captors were upon him. One held a knife while the other leveled a revolver at Victor’s head. Victor wasted no time in flinging a round-house kick at the gunman’s hand, sending the gun flying. The disarmed man was stunned by the sudden movement and froze, making it easy to strike him directly in the face. He crumpled like wet tissue paper and Victor turned to the other man, a larger specimen with a decidedly more frightening demeanor. 

“Where the hell did you come from?!” the kidnapper growled, circling Victor. “And who are you? How did you find this place?” 

“So many questions,” Victor retorted, his lip curled up slightly. “Who I am is none of your business. Neither is how I found you. But I will always find her, no matter where she is. She is mine and you would do well to put down your weapon before I have to take it away.” 

The man chuckled and lunged, knife aimed for Victor’s stomach. Victor nimbly stepped out of the way and elbowed the man in the back as he went by, causing him to stumble. However, the kidnapper recovered quickly and lunged again, this time grazing Victor’s hand as Victor grabbed for the man’s wrist. 

Victor didn’t so much as flinch at his wound. He simply wrapped his long fingers around the captor’s arm and flung him to the ground, smashing the man’s face into the concrete floor. There was a sickening crunch as the man’s nose broke on impact and a pool of blood began to immediately form beneath him. Victor was just about to turn back to the girl and untie her when she let out a muffled scream, which caused him to spin around and kick the first man again just as he began to reach for the gun. The man howled in agony as Victor’s sharp shoe connected solidly with his ribs and knocked the wind out of him. 

It seemed for a moment that both of his opponents were down, at least long enough for Victor to grab the abandoned knife and cut the girl free. He removed the gag first, followed quickly by her hands and then her feet. Tears streamed down her face despite her best efforts to keep them contained and she collapsed into Victor’s arms. “Can you walk?” he asked, holding her tightly against his chest. 

“I…I think so,” she whispered, voice hoarse from screaming. 

“Then I want you to run outside. The authorities shouldn’t be too far behind me, if Goldman did as he was instructed. Which he always has. I’ll keep these two busy while you make your escape.” 

The girl opened her mouth to argue, but Victor instead covered it with his own. By the time he pulled away from the kiss, the girl was feeling even dizzier than her wounds had caused. “Go. I will be perfectly fine. These two idiots are obviously no more than I can handle.” He pushed her toward the door and despite her intense desire to stay by his side, she gave Victor one last look and darted out of the room as fast as she could. 

Each time one of the captors would attempt to get up from the floor, Victor would mercilessly return them to their position. Every ounce of fear and anger was channeled directly into ensuring that neither of the men escaped before the police arrived to take them away. His hand still bled freely but he paid it no mind, seemingly not even realizing he’d been injured. 

Probably fifteen minutes passed before the thunder of police boots could be heard on the stairs. Victor exited the room and waved them down, pointing into the room. “The kidnappers are in here. I managed to subdue them for the time being, but there’s a loose gun.” 

The police pushed right past Victor and handcuffed the kidnappers, hauling them away before also cuffing Victor. He didn’t protest; it was just standard procedure, after all. They had no way to know what the truth of the situation was until they had time to interview all parties. 

Full darkness had fallen by the time Victor emerged with the police. The girl was being attended to by ambulance staff, but no amount of shouting could convince her to stay put when she saw Victor’s face. She rushed to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him as if her life depended on it. “I can’t believe you found me,” she sobbed, her tears staining the collar of his shirt red. “I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have run off like that! I thought for sure I was going to die alone and that you’d blame yourself for me making one bad decision!” 

Victor chuckled and kissed her on the cheek. “I will always find you, dummy. Even if I have to do it ten thousand times, I will always find you.”

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[lia-jones]

Resistance - Evol: Chapter 23 - Owen

Author's note: To @ashisbored, who gave me the brilliant idea of writing an Owen-focused chapter. I hope I did it justice. Lots of love to you, my dear.

Also, dear readers, if you haven't read chapter 22 yet, scroll down. This is the second chapter of the week.

Of all the days of the week, Saturday was definitely Owen's favorite. There was always something fun to do on Saturday, and Mom and Dad were always at home, their phones and laptops off and put aside.

When he didn’t have soccer matches, which were always exciting because he got to see his friends and Dad would always take him for ice cream after, he and his family would go to the market and find something tasty to cook for lunch. But there was something that he absolutely loved, that didn’t happen on a Saturday. It made him jump with joy as he put all his ‌schoolbooks into his backpack. The weekly chess game.

“I’m coming.” He ran to the living room, finding his father watching an old movie while holding a glass of whiskey. “I’m here.” He panted, smiling.

“Are you done with homework?” His father looked for the remote, turning off the TV.

“Yes.” He nodded enthusiastically. “I only had an assignment from Mrs. Burton. The rest I did at the hotel.”

“Let’s go then.” His father carefully removed the chess game from the cabinet, careful not to drop the pieces. “I believe yours were the whites?”

“Yes, and it was your turn to play.” Owen sat across from his father at the dining table, the chess game between them.

“If I recall correctly, I was about to get your horse.” His father teased, holding a piece in his hand.

“But you can’t, or I’ll get your bishop.”

“Well done.” His dad smiled. “You are becoming a very interesting adversary.”

“Yeah, Mom’s not really good at it.” They both chuckled.

This was what Owen loved about the chess games. He felt like a true gentleman, just like his father, playing a game of intelligence and strategy as they bantered and teased each other. He felt like the man he wanted to become, all that he could see in the adult in front of him: smart, elegant, strong.

His father paused again, lost in thought. But it was probably not about the game, his eyes weren’t fixed on the board as usual. He was sipping his whiskey again.

“By the way, how is she?”

“Mom?”

Dad cleared his throat, moving his piece to defeat his horse. Owen’s eyes focused on the board again, trying to figure out his father’s plan.

“And your bishop is gone.” Owen removed the black piece from the board.

“Is she doing well?”

“You don’t know?” Owen waited impatiently for his father’s next move. 

“She has been busy finishing her thesis. We have little time to talk.” 

“Yeah, she’s been staying up late working all week long.”

“How do you know?” His father frowned. “Aren’t you supposed to be in bed sleeping by that time?”

“I woke up thirsty one night.” He shrugged. “It’s your turn.”

Dad turned to the chessboard again, although he didn’t seem as interested anymore. He moved his tower. Owen smiled.

“I’m going to win.”

“What else?”

“What else? I’m getting your tower and putting your king in jeopardy.” Owen moved his tower. “Check.”

“What else about your mother? Is she just working, or is she doing something else?”

“I think she’s taking Krav Maga lessons again. I heard her talking to Levi on the phone.”

His father looked at his watch, drinking the rest of his whiskey.

“Maybe we should put the chess game aside for now and start dinner.” He took the chess board and returned it to its place in the cabinet.

“But I was winning!”

“Check is not a win. You don’t know what tricks I may have up my sleeve. I may still save my King.”

“You’re right.” Owen pouted. “Can we have pasta for dinner?”

“Macaroni and cheese with broccoli?” His father raised a brow.

“Yes!” He beamed. “Can I help?”

“Can you grate the cheese without hurting yourself?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Fair enough. I’ll have you as my sous-chef and evaluate your performance later.”

Owen loved cooking with his father. He had an apron just for him, and his father would always make an italian accent every time they cooked pizza or pasta. Mom would always joke and say he was a mustache away from being a Super Mario, which always made Owen laugh and his father blush, pinching her arm playfully.

And although it was fun to cook with his dad, his mom wasn’t there, so it wasn’t as fun.

“You sound like Super Mario!” Owen teased on his mother’s behalf.

But his father didn’t blush, and he didn’t tease him back. He pursed his lips, turning them into a sad smile.

“It’s better when Mom is around.” Owen pouted a little.

His father turned to the sink to wash the broccoli.

“You’ll see her again tomorrow.” He spoke after a long time.

Owen remembered the time Mina died, and his mother told him that maybe he should not bring it up for a while, because missing someone can hurt very much. So Owen dropped the subject, grating the cheese instead. It was clear Dad was missing Mom too.

“My name is Owen Lee and I live in Loveland. I have already lived in many houses. The first house I lived in was with my biological mother, who died when I was little. Then I moved to the orphanage with Miss Dillon, and she found another house for me, but the lady didn’t like me very much. So I went back to live with Miss Dillon again and the other kids until I found my forever family. So I moved to my Dad’s house in Loveland, a large apartment in a building that even has a caretaker, Mr. Andrews. He gives me candy sometimes. But now, my Mom has become really busy with work, so she needs another place where she can focus, so I have two places to live now. One is the hotel apartment where I live with my mother, and the second is my father’s apartment, where I used to live forever. The end.”

“Very good, Owen, good job.” Mrs. Burton patted his head. “Anyone have any ‌questions to ask Owen?”

“Are your parents divorced?” Jenny raised her hand.

“No, they’re not.” Owen explained. “It is only an experiment, because Mom has a lot of work to do and she needs to focus. It’s only temporary.”

“Is your father very loud?” Michael chimed in.

“No, I don’t think he is.”

“Then why can’t your mother work in the same house as your Dad?”

“Yeah, don’t your parents work at the same company?”

Owen froze, not knowing what to say. He didn’t fully understand the “experiment” his parents were in, he just knew what they had told him.

“Alright, children, maybe we should leave the questions for later and go to recess.” Mrs. Burton intervened. “Go get your snacks from Mr. Linton at the cafeteria and I’ll see you in 30 minutes.”

Owen sat by the cherry tree, absentmindedly turning his apple in his hands. His friends were waving at him from afar, but he didn’t feel in the mood to play soccer. Jenny sat next to him.

“It’s ok if your parents are having a divorce.” She looked at him. “It’s not as bad as it seems. My parents are divorced. Timothy’s parents are divorced too. And Gary’s mom is already married to another man.”

“My parents are not getting divorced.” Owen shook his head. “My mom wouldn’t lie to me. She would tell me if they were.”

“Ok.” Jenny shrugged.

“How is it like?” Owen eyed the girl sideways. What if she was right?

“Well, my mom explained that sometimes adults stop loving each other and they go live different lives. It’s kinda cool, actually. You get two Christmases, and you get a lot more presents. And they spend more time with you, when it’s just you and them.”

Owen let out a sigh of relief. No way Mom and Dad had stopped loving each other. He could see that they missed each other. If they missed each other, it could only mean that they still cared. And as he came to that conclusion, the subject simply slipped his mind.

Mom was the one picking him up from school that day. He almost missed her among the crowd of parents piling up at the school gate. Her curls were gone, and her hair was a little darker.

“Mom!” He threw himself into her arms.

“My little bug, I missed you so dang much!” She picked him up, throwing him in the air. “How was school? I want to know everything about it!”

“Your hair is straight!” He picked up a strand of her now light brown hair.

“Just trying something new.” She smiled. “How do I look?”

“You look beautiful!” He beamed at her. “Dad won’t recognize you when he sees you, you look so different!”

His mother gave him a soft smile, putting him on the ground.

“I thought we could walk home to the hotel today, maybe pick up some takeout on the way.” She took his hand as they started walking. “What do you feel like eating?”

“I had pasta yesterday with Dad. He made the Italian accent.”

“Nice.” His mother chuckled. “So no Italian food today. What else can we have?”

“Hot dogs?”

“Hot dogs are not very healthy, Owen. Can you think of something else you’d like?” She stopped. “Oh, hi, Levi.”

“Hey gorgeous!” Levi was suddenly standing next to them, pulling his mother for a hug. “And hi, little guy, how are you?”

Owen remembered Jenny’s words, and how she had told him Gary’s mom was married to another man now. And then he remembered how his father got the last time they ran into Levi. He immediately hated him.

“Fine.” He answered grumpily.

“Oh, is someone having a bad day?”

“I’m not sure…” Mom looked at him, frowning.

“Anyway, I hope to see you this week.” Levi shook Mom’s shoulder. “You slacked for a while. Your posture needs working on.”

“I’m not sure I can make it this week.” She tried to keep Owen steady as he pulled her arm.

“Is your husband working you hard? Gotta tell Victor you need some me time too.”

Oh, the audacity. Owen just wanted to kick him in the shin.

“I want to go home, Mom.”

“Just a second, Owen. We are on our way.”

“But I want to go NOW!” He screamed.

“Owen!”

“It’s ok, I should go too.” Levi pulled her for another hug. “I do hope to see you at the gym!”

Owen watched Levi leave with a sense of duty fulfilled. He would make sure that guy wouldn’t get near his Mom again.

“Are you ready to explain what happened just now?” His mother turned to him, looking slightly mad.

“I’m sorry I was rude.”

“You were very rude.” She scolded him. “But I’m more interested in why. That’s not like you at all.”

Owen looked downed, feeling ashamed. Yes, he had done the right thing by scaring the other man away, but still he had been impolite. His father would surely had done it differently, elegantly, without getting a scolding in return. He hadn’t been a gentleman at all. Mom walked with him in silence, crossing the park where Owen usually played soccer with Dad. She took him aside to sit on a park bench.

“Did you have a bad day at school? Did someone pick on you?”

“No.” He shook his head, afraid to ask the question.

“Come on, Bug.” Mom stroked his cheek. “Whatever is bothering you, you can tell me.”

“I don’t like staying at the hotel.” He finally confessed, his eyes glued to the ground.

“You don’t like it there? You’d rather stay somewhere else?”

“Why do we have to do an experiment?”

“I told you, Bug. I need a little while to be alone to think and to focus on my thesis.”

“Why can’t you do it at home? I promise I’ll be very quiet, and Dad will be quiet too. We can make the meals and do all the chores and you can just stay in your study and work.”

“Owen…”

“I just want to go home.”

His mother paused, making him look up. She looked sad.

“You want to stay with Dad?”

“No, I want to stay with you and Dad!” He grew frustrated. Why couldn’t she understand him? “I don’t want you to get a divorce.”

Mom blinked at him. 

“Where did you hear that?”

“Jenny says adults sometimes stop loving each other, and they go live in separate places. It’s called a divorce. And then we get two Christmases, and sometimes the mother marries another man.”

“I see.” She nodded. “So your reaction with Levi…”

“You’re not marrying him, are you?”

Mom laughed. That made Owen’s heart feel a lot lighter.

“Levi? God, no.”

“You’re not divorcing Dad, are you? Or make me have two Christmases.” He looked her in the eyes, trying to understand what she was feeling. “It’s nothing like that, right?”

She paused.

“No, it’s nothing like that.” She got up from the bench. “And you know what? I actually feel like having hotdogs. As long as we have some soup before.”

“Deal!” Owen jumped. “Can it be carrot soup?”

“Sure, we’ll stop by the grocery store…” She turned to her purse. “Wait, I’m getting a call.” She looked at the phone, slightly confused, answering it. “Victor?”

She listened silently while his father spoke on the other end of the line, her expression turning to a worried one as she looked at him.

“I’m sorry, buddy.” She gave him a sad smile. “It looks like we’re not having hot dogs after all.”

“How do you want to do this?” Dad held the cardboard box.

Owen held his mother’s hand.

“We make a hole in the ground and we bury him.” Owen said. “Did you bring some candles?”

“I did!” His mother took some small candles from her purse.

His father took the small gardening tool, digging a shallow hole and inserting the cardboard box in it.

“Do you want to cover it?” He turned to Owen.

“Yes.” Owen kneeled on the ground. “Mom, light the candles, please.”

He covered the box with dirt, and Mom lit two small candles, placing them next to Mr. Lobster's burial place.

“He lived a good life.” She smiled at Owen. “He was a happy lobster.”

“Do you want to say any last words?” Dad spoke as he wiped off the dirt of his hands.

“Yes.” Owen closed his eyes, feeling the solemness of the moment. “Mr. Lobster, when I first came home, you were my very best friend. You couldn’t say anything back, because lobsters can’t talk, but I know you listened. And while I was still getting to know Mom and Dad, you made me feel less alone. I don’t know if God has a heaven just for lobsters, but I hope He does. And if He does, I’m sure you are there. Thank you for being such a good friend, I will miss you.”

Owen heard a sniffle behind him. Mom and Dad were tearing up.

“It’s ok.” He smiled. “I’ll miss him, but he had a good life. And I’m pretty sure lobster heaven exists.”

Owen was sad, but he knew that most of all, it was important for him to be strong. He wanted his parents to be proud of him and not to worry. They looked so sad already, even before Mr. Lobster died. He wanted them to be happy.

“What do you feel like doing now, Bug?” Mom kissed his forehead. “Should we get home?”

“Can we still go for hot dogs?”

“Of course we can.” She smiled, offering her hand for Owen to take. “There’s a place on the way home. Go kiss Dad goodbye.”

“Can he come too?”

Another pause. Mom and Dad glanced at each other, using that silent language only they knew, and Owen couldn’t understand. After a while, Mom spoke.

“Sure he can.” She smiled. “Would you like to go with us for hot dogs?”

“It will be my treat, then.” He motioned them to follow him to his car. “I’ll drive. I know a place that has the best hotdogs in town.”

After a short five-minute drive, they were sitting by the lake, enjoying the hot dogs Dad had promised. And he was absolutely right: they were delicious.

“Now that’s something I never thought I would see.” Mom joked. “Victor Lee shoving down a hot dog.”

“This isn’t just any hot dog. This is the hot dog. Artisanal bread and sausages, exquisite relishing…”

“How come we never came before? They really are delicious.”

Owen observed his parents, the initial tension between them gone. It felt good, just like before.

“We always preferred to cook at home, together.”

“Which is how we got the lobster in the first place.” Mom laughed.

“What does cooking have to do with Mr. Lobster?” Owen asked, intrigued.

Again, Mom and Dad looked at each other, the silent communication between them.

“Well, you know some people eat lobster, right?” His father started. “Like some people keep fish as pets, and still we eat fish sometimes.”

“That’s because they are ignorants.” Owen countered. “They don’t know how cool lobsters can be, and how smart they are. Mr. Lobster always greeted us when we got home.”

“Yes, he did.” His father looked at his hotdog.

“But what does cooking have to do with Mr. Lobster?”

“Well. In all honesty…” His father hesitated.

“Back when we were dating, your father took me to this restaurant.” Mom chimed in. “And Mr. Lobster was inside a tank, waiting to be picked by a customer to be cooked. But I started looking at him, and felt sorry for the poor guy, so Dad bought the lobster, took him home and kept him as a pet, saving him from the pot. And that’s how we got Mr. Lobster.”

Owen’s heart swelled with pride.

“You saved him?!?” He smiled at Dad. Dad looked at Mom, a surprised look on his face.

“He did.” Mom nodded. “He knew I would be sad if Mr. Lobster died, so he saved him for me.”

“Dad’s a hero!”

“He did something pretty special, yeah.” 

“So did you.” His father replied.

Owen had no idea what they were talking about anymore, but it didn’t matter. They were smiling at each other, with that look in their eyes, and that was all that mattered.

Owen felt his eyes getting heavy on the way home, the motion and silent buzz of the car pulling him into relaxation. As his eyes were closing, he heard his mother talk.

“Poor little guy. This was a rough day for him.”

There was a beat of silence, and Owen almost drifted off, until he heard his father speak.

“Did you tell Diane?”

“No. Did you tell Goldman?”

“No, but he asked about you. Which was exactly what led me to think you didn’t tell his wife.”

“I thought maybe… At least until we know exactly what we want to do, maybe we shouldn’t tell anyone. You know, to avoid any gossip.”

“Until you know exactly what you want to do. I already know what I want.”

“Victor…”

“You put us in this position. You are the one who needs to figure things out.”

“Fine, sure, let’s disregard all the lying and all the secrets and just blame it all on me. I can take that.”

Another beat of silence.

“That’s not… I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok, I don’t want to fight either. Not today.”

“I agree.”

“Your hair looks different. It looks good on you.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m actually the one who should thank you. For covering up for me.”

“In the end, it was a very nice gesture. It doesn’t matter how it started.”

Silence filled the car again.

“You’re still wearing it-” His father almost whispered.

“So are you.”

“Like I said, I know what I want.”

Even with his eyes closed, Owen couldn’t help but smile. His parents still loved each other. Mom hadn’t lied, it was just an experiment, and it probably wouldn’t last long. They wouldn’t get a divorce.

And that knowledge lifted the heavy weight from his heart. He just wanted to have one Christmas. One with his family together.

#mlqc li zeyan #mlqc victor #victor mldd #love and producer fanfic #victor mlqc #growingtogether #mister love queens choice #victor x oc #love and producer #mlqc fanfic #mldd victor #li zeyan

[teddytheartist]

Zukka for the win my guys

#it’s that one scene in the middle of the night in the tea shop in We will last the night by CSHfic #guys Zukka has a chOKEhold on me like #a DEATH GRIP #im not kidding I’m fucking dying out here man #they produce the most egregious amount of serotonin in my brain #like it’s not even fair #like i love them so much you don’t understand #rec me fanfics PLEASE #fanart #Zukka #zuko #sokka #atla #atla fanart #avatar the last airbender #atla zuko #atla sokka

[yourssinfullyquiche]

Morning

Hello, all you beautiful people🥰 SMUT SMUT SMUT— This is an NSFW drabble Hope you enjoy~

The voice he uses when he wakes me. Husky and low. Sometimes it’s due to tiredness, lack of sleep, and work. Other times—most of the time, it’s the knowledge that my body tingles with goosebumps when I hear it close to the shell of my ear.

“Morning…,” he exhales softly against my ear that it tickles. The rough layers reverberate through me, fluttering around in my lower belly. The breath I take in is quick to calm my beating heart yet it is futile when his hand languidly traces the band of my panties over my cream nightgown. The hem has ridden up to my thigh and this does not go unnoticed by officer Gavin’s keen eyes. 

My voice comes out lazily. “Mmm morning.” The band stretches and smacks lightly on my hips as his fingers play with it. I bite the inside of my mouth, guide his naughty hand to my soaking pussy that awaits his fingers and the moan that escapes me is immediate when his fingers slip in and come into contact with the bud of nerves. 

It’s aching when one finger slips in, followed by another. They move without hesitation, those nimble fingers. My toes curl inwards, soft moans of his name escape my lips. Then I feel it, his hardened cock grinding against me, the quivering sighs teasing my ear knowing full well how it shoots sparks straight to my core, that it only serves to make me more hot and wet. 

My body’s on fire and it coils further and further into a tight knot desperately waiting for the inevitable snap that would release me into oblivion. “Almost there,” he whispers as he adds another finger. His lips rest on my temple leaving a few kisses. The couple of moans I let out are the only response he gets. His fingers are unrelenting in their mission, slamming in and out, teasing the bud of nerves—the friction as he rolls his cock to my ass makes me see stars. 

“Ga-gavin...” In my fogged out brains the squelching sounds register—it’s erotic and like a moth drawn to a flame my body responds to it, making me moan louder. The way I am right now—naked, vulnerable, an incoherent mess and on the verge of falling apart, it’s only for his eyes. I aimlessly find something to grip as I near the breaking point, the bedsheet is my victim but it slips away easily. Almost instantly, Gavin’s idle hand envelopes mine, our fingers fill the spaces between. 

“Thank y-ahhhh!” I grip onto his hand as I reach the blinding crest and feel my whole body tremble with overwhelming relief and satisfaction. It takes moments for my body to come down from the high, moments where I’m breathing hard, where Gavin licks his fingers clean, showers me with kisses everywhere he lays his lips on, runs his fingers through my hair with praises from his lips.

I turn to face him, meet his lips in a deep kiss. My hand travels to the obvious bulge, I don’t need to see to know what the dampness means. He shudders with a groan, eyes darting to mine and away from them in a second, hand on my hips bunching the fabric of my nightgown. And of course a red hue dusts his skin, ears in its wonted heavy colour. 

“It’s your turn,” I say softly. He puts his hand over mine, shaking his head. “It’s okay. You have to get ready for work,” he pats my bottom prompting me to leave the bed. Leave him alone as he takes care of himself. Who’s he fooling?

I push his hand away, look into his whiskey eyes that are clearly dilated and hungry and decide I won’t let him deny me the bliss I feel when I satiate his needs. I grip his clothed cock a little harshly and look directly at him when he moans. 

“You want me?”

He starts and swallows, blushes deeper and then nods, dark whiskey eyes never leaving mine. “Answer me,” I move to his jaw and pepper it with kisses. 

“Yes,” Gavin says, his voice tight. 

The kiss is hard and sloppy as my hand slips into his boxer and hold his aching cock.

“Then let me take care of you…”

-

A/N: Thank you for reading❤️

It's been far too long people. I've been busy with college, exams, results and the aftermath of being plunged into "the world." I just graduated and am in the midst of finding a job. It's tough and I've been adjusting to this new normal. So, I haven't had the mood to sit down and let my writing juices flow. But I'm working on something and this is part 1 of a smut series.

AND credits to @cafekitsune for the lovely dividers😚 Everyone if you need dividers to pretty up your posts, please check out the blog~ The creator has some awesome dividers!

© YOURSSINFULLYQUICHE2023 — no part of this writing shall be plagiarised, translated or reposted in any way. Likes, reblogs and comments are always appreciated!

Taglist: @playheej  @purple-cat-demon @rinharu-purple (if you want to join my taglist, please visit my blog and click the link available on my pinned post)

#mlqc gavin #mlqc smut #mlqc #mlqc gavin fanfic #mlqc gavin smut #mlqc gavin fanfiction #mlqc gavin headcanon #love and producer #mr. love queen's choice #mr love queen's choice #mr love queens choice #mlqc fanfic #mlqc fanfiction #mlqc fluff #mlqc bai qi #mlqc headcanon #mr love fanfic #mr love gavin #mr love #mr love bai qi #quiche writes

[sophiebernadotte]

If you can't tell, I'm having too much fun creating these terrible badly-looking memes for my favourite fanfics. I was going to wait a bit for more chapters of Unhealthy by @mrsbsmooth to be posted, but I thought with 14 of them just sitting there collecting dust, I might as well just post them. So here you go, enjoy reliving the emotional rollercoaster that was Casa Amor!

#love island the game #litg #litg s6 #litg lewie #litg fanfic #mutuals writing stuff #if there is anything the producers should spill about lewie during movie night it's the coffee thing

[night-chant]

Temporary Trouble, Permanent Promise (MLQC One-Shot)

Hello hello greetings it’s me :) Thank you @krishastumblernow​ for this request! I hope you like it!! It is really refreshing and fun talking about MLQC and Lucien with you :))) He is such an interesting love interest (To this day, I still have no idea what goes on in his mind lool)

Featuring: Lucien x afab reader

Word Count: 3103

Summary: Lucien observed that you were in deep thought again, lost in your own world. Fortunately, he had methods to bring you back into his arms and to ensure that nothing would steal you away from him again.

Warnings: 18+ (minors do not interact please! I beg)

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The late afternoon sky was clear and beautiful but why was your mind not feeling the same way?

Last week, Anna and Kiki were snooping into your love life for the umpteenth time ever since they had spotted your frequent visits to the university carrying pastries that they craved so badly. 

“I knew the gardenia bouquet was from Professor Lucien!” Kiki squealed at the occupied vase on your desk. 

You sighed. “Anna, please tell me you don’t take part in office gossip too.”

She managed a sheepish smile. “But how has he been treating you? You've been together for almost a year now. How many dates have you gone on?”

With your mysterious boyfriend, a coincidental encounter often ended up as one. It was kind of hard to link a number with that. Wait, why were you even entertaining Anna’s question?

“What is this, an interrogation?” you asked in a huff, hoping they did not catch the waver in your voice. “It doesn’t matter. We haven’t really gone on one for a while now.”

Anna contemplated that scrap of information. “That makes sense. It is students’ midterm season afterall and who knows what sort of complicated research he could be working on? It was so hard to even arrange a time for him to be our consultant for the next show.”

Kiki pinched your cheek as you wrung a magazine tightly. “Don’t worry! He made time to send flowers for you. I’m sure another date will be set or I’m gonna make sure of it! Maybe some sort of amusement park, the beach or maybe Netflix and chill---”

You bonked her head with the rolled-up magazine. “I thought I gave you enough proposals to draft up to keep you busy, Kiki!”

Anna hastily steered Kiki away before the list could become more inappropriate for a workplace environment. 

“Fine! Fine! Just make sure he is not dating his work instead!” Kiki called back, her last words echoing in your mind.

***

The click of silverware broke the trance and brought you back to the cafe where you sat across from your boyfriend in a secluded table at the corner away from the lively chatter.

“It seems like you have stirred your drink into a little caffeinated whirlpool,” Lucien said, amusement evident across his lips.

Instantly, you dropped the slim spoon, spilling droplets of lukewarm coffee over your fingers. “Ah! Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“First at my lecture and now here. What am I going to do with my silly girl?” Feigning a helpless sigh, Lucien gestured for your hand. His dark bangs hung low as he concentrated on patting a napkin across your skin. 

You scowled. “You mean your 8 o’clock lecture.”

“Hm, perhaps I need to resort to other methods that will keep your eyes on me.” He brought your hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly, silencing your grumbling. Lucien’s sensual purple eyes did not break contact with yours as his tongue swiped over the last drop of coffee on your skin.

You drew your hand away before anyone nearby would notice. “H-Hey!”

Lucien let out a chuckle with his smiling eyes. He would snatch every single opportunity he got just to see your face burn pink. It didn’t help how easy it was for him either. No matter how much you prepared for his sudden attacks, he would always manage to surprise you, whether it was when he prepared dinner with you or when he laid beside you in bed. 

Just like the sly fox he was. 

Lucien adjusted the sleeves of his dress shirt before leaning forward. “Well, now that I have your undivided attention, why don’t you tell me what is on your mind, Kris?”

Despite his ever-attentive nature, you weren’t afraid to try to escape, undiscovered. “Nothing worth noting,” you simply said, fidgeting with strands of your hair under his scrutiny. 

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? I would not consider it ‘nothing’ if it stole your attention from me --- not once but twice today.”

If he stared a moment longer, you might’ve caved in. His dark overcoat hung over his chair but it easily reminded you of his long white lab coat, of his status as a professor, neuroscientist---heck, even as a consultant. They all reminded you of his duties, responsibilities and surely as a result, the inevitable workload. 

Instead, you grabbed your cup and downed the last of your coffee as you hastily shrugged into your coat. “I-It really doesn’t matter. Let’s go home.” 

Studying your every move, Lucien let you put his coat over him and drag him out of the cafe in silence.

***

The bright red and orange leaves swirled through the cool breeze down the streets of Loveland City. The calling geese soared across the sunset toward the direction of the south. The scenery did its best to distract you but it was too late.

Suddenly, a warm hand held yours and you looked up at Lucien, whose eyes were unreadable. You two stopped walking in the middle of the vacant walkway by the river, barely able to hear the calls of the geese that were now so far away so quickly.

“Something is troubling your mind,” Lucien insisted, reaching for your other hand, shielding them both from the frigid air. “I can’t help but seek the answers to your worries.” He managed a tender smile. “Your scowl is endearing but I prefer your lovely smile the most.”

His quiet, pleading eyes were going to be the death of you. You couldn’t help but smile the smile he cherished above all. It encapsulated the innocence that he would do anything to preserve from the crooked world. He was patient, caring, and intelligent. Maybe, just maybe, it would be unreasonable to turn away from his offer of support.

“I’ve been just thinking . . .” you began but trailed off, fidgeting with his hands that were much larger than you own.

“An awful lot, unfortunately.” 

You held your gaze with his. “Y-You’re not dating your work, are you?”

For a long moment, Lucien did not speak. The breeze was tousling his stubbornly straight hair, rustling his long coat, and rippling the waves of the river. His eyes narrowed as he analyzed your expression as if it was a complex thesis.

Then he let out a soft laugh. 

“So you’ve been scowling all day and lost in your thoughts all because you convinced yourself that I am unfaithful to my dear girlfriend?”

Sheepishly, you rubbed your arm. “Now that you phrased it like that, it really does sound silly.” When he tried to suppress his chuckle, you pouted. “Okay, now you’re making fun of me.”

You were about to turn away, but he caught your wrist. 

“Now, now, there’s no need to turn from me. I still need you so.”

“No, you don’t. You need your work more,” you said but you couldn’t stop the small smile forming when he wrapped his arms around your waist from behind. 

He buried his face into the crook of your neck, nudging your scarf aside with his chin until his lips had access to your bare skin. You giggled against his insistent kisses, squirming from the cold.

“Although I admit I have been busier than usual,” he mused, “it was to ensure that my weekend is free. My weekends are always reserved for you. I will make time for you no matter what.” He turned you around, the last rays of sunlight gleaming against his deep purple gaze. “However, I can’t read your mind, so you will have to let me know what your heart desires from me.” He leaned close to your ear. “And I will provide whatever way I can.”

You blinked, your senses sharpened at his soothing voice and determined devotion. When you didn’t respond, Lucien caressed your hands again. “Ah, it seems like I have not convinced my silly girl.” Before you could protest, he pulled you along, resuming the interrupted stroll down the waterway. “What shall I ever do with you?”

***

There were wonderful perks of dating your next-door neighbour. It almost felt like you were living together, judging by how often you visited each other for simple domestic reasons. You would drop by to water Lucien’s plants, especially since he had convinced you that they grew vibrantly whenever you were around. He would invite you over for dinner after you two went grocery shopping the day before. Sometimes, you two would share coffee on separate balconies, both leaning on the railing, subconsciously, trying to be close even in the early morning.

Tonight, Lucien triumphed as he proposed to invite you over before you could offer the same yourself. I will beat him next time, you promised to yourself as he motioned you inside. You removed your thick coat, deeply sighing into the comforting warmth of Lucien’s apartment, the scent of cinnamon and lavender wafted to you. You started wandering down the hallway, failing to notice how he was locking the door and flipping the latch over the door frame with his eyes trained on your figure, as if the great big fox finally cornered the oblivious rabbit. 

“I left some lettuce in your fridge yesterday,” you mused as you stretched your arms over your head, realizing how stiff you had gotten because of the filming sessions lately. “Maybe we can start with that for dinner. Mm, what goes well with lettuce?” No answer. “Lucien?”

Unfortunately, your momentarily raised arms left you vulnerable as a strong pair of arms wrapped around your waist. Lucien pressed his nose along the side of your neck, inhaling your sweet scent. This did not seem to be the same Lucien as the one at the walkway. This time, a lingering presence of possession hovered in the air. 

“Wait, Lucien??” You tried to squirm out of his grasp, but it was futile against his strength. He always wore that flowing lab coat, making you forget how much muscle was hidden from plain sight. Although your heart was racing, his warmth was soothing as if determined to alleviate the initial panic. “W-What are you doing?”

You could feel Lucien hum against your exposed skin. His soft hair brushing your cheek as his hands began drifting upwards. “I have drawn my conclusions,” he murmured in your ear. “I know what I shall do with you.”

Lucien’s voice was too close to your sensitive ear. He tightened his embrace when you weakly struggled again. “Are you trying to run away from me? After your accusation of my unfaithfulness?” He sighed. “You are truly cruel.”

“I-Is that what this is all about? I wasn’t! That was not what I meant to do!” you protested as you looked over your shoulder, only to find his amused smile and darkening eyes.

You pouted, frustrated you still fell for it. “Hey, you’re just teasing me! Again!” You were about to call him some creative names but his lips met yours, silencing your train of thought in an instant. 

Little did you know that you had always managed to turn such a tranquil professor into a competitive madman with your unintentional provocations. You still thought he was just teasing you even when his hands were all over your body, from tracing your collarbone to squeezing your inner thighs? He’d make sure you retract your words. As every second passed, the gentleness of the kiss slowly but surely became more passionate and dominating, revealing his inner desire. 

You were beginning to feel light-headed and tugged at his sleeve, hoping to take a very much needed breath of air. However, Lucien was insistent that you learn your lesson for doubting the true extent of his love for you, as nothing was more of a priority than his own queen. He yearned for your lips more than he ever yearned for air. His greedy hands craved to feel you more intimately than your clothes were allowing him.

By the time you were able to successfully push his broad shoulders away to breathe, you realized your back was not pressed against his chest anymore, but on a soft comforter instead. Lucien had discarded his overcoat long ago and he was loosening his tie. The blue moonlight streaming through the translucent curtains emphasized his defined biceps and abdomen as he threw his dress shirt behind him.

Lucien was towering over you on his bed, his arms at both sides of your face and his knee between your thighs. Slowly, he stroked your silky hair from your face. His distinct scent surrounded you, overwhelming your senses as it engulfed your own.

Feeling self-conscious, you tried to turn your head to the side to break the intense stare but his slender index finger halted your meek attempt. 

“There’s no need to be shy anymore,” Lucien murmured. “It is just the two of us.” The lightning of frustration had long vanished from your veins. Your heartbeat echoed in your ears, praying to survive his abundant hunger for you. 

Yet your thighs pressed against his leg, your body was instinctively willing to appease his demands.

Lucien ran his lips across your neck, his soft breath fanning over your sensitive skin. “I love you so much, more than anything,” he whispered. “Why won’t you believe me? What must I do to convince such a stubborn heart?”

You made a feeble attempt to pull your sweater off but to no avail with the position you found yourself in, trapped in your boyfriend’s possessive grasp.

“I don’t hear an answer.” Delight creeped into his voice. “I can’t read minds, silly. Tell me what you desire.”

You couldn’t help but let out a whimper, not knowing you ignited a darker desire deep within Lucien. He was being so unfair. With your glossy eyes and small pout, you said, “Please, help me, Professor. It feels too warm.”

One second, your body felt stuffy in thick cotton. The next second, cool air rushed over your chest and stomach. You gasped, almost missing the sound of ripping from your sweater. Hasty fingers pulled your long skirt and tights off, leaving them to pool below your dangling feet. Lucien pressed his toned chest over yours, shielding you from the autumn chill before it could rob your body of warmth.

“Is that all?” he prompted as you squirmed for any sort of friction but he remained still, awaiting your words.

You whined as you clawed your straps off your shoulders. “It’s still too hot, please, take it all off.”

“As you wish.”

Lucien kissed your shoulder as he unclipped and slipped your bra off, caressing your chest, a bit rougher than expected. You whined again and he couldn’t help but chuckle at your impatience. Yanking your undergarment away, he was about to give you another hungry kiss, but you put your palm over his firm chest. His eyes darkened at your sudden refusal yet his smile indicated he was very much entertained by your trembling movements.

“And what else must I do to win your affections, my dear?” Lucien asked, his steady tone almost couldn’t hide his wild instincts to ravish you completely. Then, he felt your thighs shifting against his dress pants. He let out a chuckle. The ringing of his brass buckle and rustling as he removed the rest of his clothes felt much louder in his usually silent bedroom. 

As Lucien was slowly pushing himself in you, you hummed with pleasure. “Faster, Lucien,” you pleaded. Despite the contrasting size difference, you didn’t care. You wanted all of him now. Your welcoming arms felt so inviting as he was pulled right on top of you suddenly, eliciting a groan from him due to your tightness. You let out a moan as you felt the friction you craved from his steady thrusts.

As Lucien marked you with multiple lovebites over your throat and chest, your fingers ran through his hair, dishevelling it into something that was sin to professionalism. He was panting, his pale complexion becoming rosy as you kept moaning his name, desperate for his full attention.

Satisfied with the dozen marks, he gave you a passionate kiss, his lustful tongue meeting yours. As you sucked on his in such a shy yet nevertheless seductive way, his thrusts against you grew more erratic.

“Ah Lucien~” you mewled, clawing your dainty nails deep into his broad back while your limp legs jolted around with his every thrust. “P-Please more~”

Your constant pleads seemed to paint you into the insatiable one but his quickening, deep thrusts said otherwise. Lucien could not break the kiss and his unyielding embrace around you.

Suddenly, the inevitable tension within you grew impossibly tight until you reached your high, eyes slowly unfocusing. Your raw moans for Lucien were muffled by his deep, eager kisses as he continued thrusting in, extending the euphoric feeling. 

With your remaining strength, you wrapped your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist before you rocked yourself against him. A deep rumble arose from his chest. You broke the kiss (much to his dismay) before you pressed your lips against his ear: “I love you so very much, Lucien.”

The gentle sincerity and the purity of your sweet voice squeezed his pounding heart, driving him over the edge. He groaned against the crook of your neck as you felt the thick and warm sensation deep in your core. Slowly, it started to trickle down your thighs as well. 

Neither of you moved from your position as you both gathered your laboured breaths finally. You combed your fingers through Lucien’s hair and he nuzzled against your neck, scattering butterfly kisses across your marked skin. 

“I love you more than you will ever know,” your boyfriend murmured, more to himself. He never told you how deep he had fallen for you. He never registered emotions that were this strong in nature before he had met you again after so many years apart. It felt like he fell into an endless abyss, in the realm of the unknown yet there was a sense of comfort indescribable every time you smiled at him.

You pressed your lips onto his forehead to break his trance before craning over to check the clock. “Are you hungry yet? There is still some time to make a quick dinn---Ah, Lucien!”

Before you could get far, his hand pinned your wrists over your head on the mattress. “Yes,” he said, leering at your confused state. “As a matter of fact, I am still very hungry for someone.” Before you could retort against his unreasonableness, he nipped at your ear. “I have reserved my entire weekend to prove my devotion for you, remember? I don’t want to waste any of it until I have thoroughly convinced you with my evidence.”

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Please take my offer of the second smut I’ve written -- I hope you enjoyed it :))

Masterlist

#I want to be his student so badddd pleeasee #mr love lucien #xu mo #love and producer #mr love queen's choice #mlqc #mlqc lucien #mlqc x reader #mlqc scenario #mlqc smut #mlqc fanfic #anime smut #anime romance #mlqc headcanons

[multifandom-worlds]

An Office Redecoration

Genre: Pure fluff, baby!

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: N/A

Author's note: I almost didn't finish this in time for Victor's birthday, but I did! A little self-indulgent fic for my first muse's birthday. Happy Birthday, Victor! Tagging: @darlingdummycassandra/@darling-dummy-blogs, @otome-and-fanfiction

It takes a lot of convincing for Victor to attend a lunch meeting; it took even more to convince him to participate in a lunch meeting on his birthday, no less. Reluctantly, Victor agreed, leaving his office empty for 3 hours—just enough time for Nicole to come in and redecorate for his birthday. Something she enjoyed doing every time this particular day came around. 

Before they got together, Victor rarely celebrated his birthday - it was just another day to him, nothing special about getting older. Now, she makes it a point to make a big deal about it, to celebrate him and show him that he is worthy of celebrating the day. Today, she planned to decorate his office when he returns, complete with a red velvet cake she baked herself and presents - some homemade, most bought. 

She was on her way to his office when she saw him coming out of the elevator. “Hey you, where are you off to?” 

Victor faintly smiles, quite happy to see her, before walking over to her and kissing her gently. “I have a meeting I need to attend, which unfortunately means we’re going to have to reschedule our lunch, sweetheart. I’m sorry.” 

Nicole frowns, pretending as if she didn’t already know. “Oh no, that’s okay, my love. We can just have a dinner date when you've finished work. You should get going, can’t have Mr. Punctual running late.” 

Victor lets out a chuckle before he gives her one last peck on the cheek before he heads out the main doors, leaving her alone. She texts her friends Violet and Cassie that the coast is clear and to come on in with the rest of the belongings. Nicole hops into the elevator, intending to meet her friends in his office. Also, because she has a key, she can unlock it.

Cassie and Violet get up to his office after 5 minutes, decorations and presents in hand, ready to transform his borning, minimalist office into a colourscape of decorations. Placing everything in a giant pile on his desk, the three girls set to work, Nicole decorating his desk, Violet standing on the couch to hang streamers from the ceiling, and Cassie ensuring the table was set up and organized with the gifts and cake. They talked, laughed, and often wasted time, making a task that should have only taken them 2 hours at most take them over 3 hours. 

The sound of Victor clearing his throat caused the girls to jump. The 3 of them turn and look at him sheepishly, waiting for the verbal whipping they are about to receive. “And what do you 3 think you are doing?”

“It was Nik’s idea! I swear!” Cassie says, quickly hiding behind Nicole while Violet tries to sneak out behind Victor while he is distracted. “She wanted to do something special! She paid me to do it!” 

“Thanks for throwing me under the bus, woman!” Nicole chuckles, walking over to her husband and placing a hand on his chest. “I wanted to do something special for your birthday; Vi and Cassie were more than willing to lend a hand and help me celebrate you. They even got you a few things. Let them all easy; it was my idea.” 

“Yeah! Listen to your wife! Let us off easy, or I’m taking my gift back!” Violet says from the door. Victor turns to her, levelling her with his gaze. She squeaks before dashing out of the room, Cassie hot on her heels. “Love you, Nikki! If you’re still alive, text me later!” Violet calls from down the hall.

Nicole rolls her eyes before looking back at Victor, getting a read of him. “They really are innocent; this whole thing was my idea, love. Including the lunch meeting, I’m sorry, I just wanted to surprise you.”

Victor scans the room, looking at the carefully made decorations, the photos of them together lining his desk, and the 35 gifts all placed on the table and floor in the corner. “You didn’t have to do this for me, darling.” He says, regarding her again with a soft look in his eyes. She always found a way to make him feel loved. 

“Both Cassie and Violet got you a couple of things, too, as a thank you for everything you’ve done for them. Although they never asked me, so lord only knows what they gave you.��� Nicole laughs before walking over to the table and pouring Victor a drink. “As annoying as they can be, they both love you.”

Victor follows her, taking the drink from her hand and looking at the wide assortment of gifts before him before picking up a small, unassuming bag. “Text them to come back; they helped you; they should be here to celebrate, too. Plus, I’m going to need someone to clean up with. I’m dealing with your ass.” He chuckles, taking a sip. 

It didn’t take long before Violet and Cassie were back in his office, drinks in their hand, sitting on the couch as Victor began opening his gifts, grabbing the same unassuming bag from before. “That looks like Violet’s handwriting.” he chuckles before opening it, seeing a lump of black fabric at the bottom. Further inspection reveals it's an apron that reads Mr. Good Looking is Cooking.

Victor looks at her as she fights the urge to contain her laughter. “You need to wear that the next time we are over for dinner! It’ll be so good!” 

Victor rolls his eyes before reaching for another gift, a small package with Cassie’s name on it. He opens it to see several regular, sophisticated-looking ties until he reaches the last one. Pulling it out, he holds up a tie adorned with several different cat faces. Cassie points to one particularly grumpy-looking cat, “Look! It’s Victor!” Cassie laughs before pointing out the other cats. “The cute fluffy little kitten is me; Violet is the orange cat, and Nikki is the sophisticated-looking cat!’ 

Victor glares at her while she smiles innocently. “This is why you’re the grumpy cat, Victor!” She whines, hiding behind Nicole. 

“You two are menaces, you know that?” Victor groans before letting out a small chuckle. They may be menaces, but he really did appreciate their gifts. He opens one of Nicole’s gifts next, hoping it isn’t something ridiculous but not putting it past her. “Tie clips and cuff links, thank you, my love.” Victor smiles, placing them down beside him. 

***

Hours pass, the cake devoured and all the gifts are unwrapped, save for 2 - a bottle of whisky from Cassie, more ties from Violet, as well as some Shiba Inu plushies from her as well. All 3 of them got him cooking-related items or something food-related. His wife gave him a subscription to a whisky club plus new whisky glasses to go with it, a new leather wallet, and a few more odds and ends. 

The two remaining gifts wait on the table as Victor and Nicole say goodbye to Violet and Cassie, shutting the door after they leave.  “Why did you want me to save those two for after they’re gone, darling?” Victor asks, walking her back to the couch and taking the two gifts off the table as he goes by. 

“Those two are quite special; I wanted to get your genuine reaction, not your measured ones with the others here.” She smiles, watching as he tears open the smaller of the two, revealing a silver and black Rolex Sky-Dweller watch. 

“Baby…this is beautiful. I love it so much. Thank you.” He says, pulling her in for a kiss. He breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. “You’ve been so good to me this year, my love. I don’t know how to thank you.” 

“There’s still one more, darling. This is my favourite gift, actually.” She hands him the last gift, her hands trembling slightly with nervous anticipation. Victor carefully opens it, revealing a black leather-bound book. Opening the front cover, he’s greeted with the photo they took on their first date. Flipping through the pages, pictures of them together at events, photos from dates, and even a few of their wedding photos line the pages. 

Victor’s eyes well with tears, looking at the memories and sweet little notes and drawings she added. “I…don’t know what to say, my love. I think this is the best gift I have ever received. I love you so much it hurts. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a perfect wife, but you made my birthday so special. I am never going to forget this day. Thank you.”

#victor li #mr love queen's choice #victor mlqc #mlqc victor #mr love victor #love and producer victor #Victor Li MLQC #mlqc #mlqc fluff #mlqc fanfic

[mailmiocuoredipietratremaancora]

I love the Good Omens fandom and I’m amazed by the amount of art it creates, it’s beautiful

#seriously #there’s so much talent #and creativity #you’re amazing guys #continue producing art #and making the world a more beautiful place #neil’s proud #good omens #good omens 2 #ineffable fandom #ineffable husbands #ineffable idiots #ineffable bureaucracy #love #art #fanart #fanfic #mailmiocuoredipietratremaancora

[fangbangerghoul]

WIP WED EVEN THO IM SLACKIN

some wip of Fleeting Pleasures but like....not exactly the next chapter? chapter 7 will be released at a date and time I cannot provide BUT while you wait feel free to catch up or reread the story!

Fleeting Pleasures

He heard the water turn on from afar as he still focused on calming his temper, his breathing. He was angry, livid, at the truth that spilled from her mouth. She was a traitor all along and she slipped past his defenses so easily. It was shameful for him to think about and the hit in his pride just consumed his thoughts. He stood in his room looking out the window to the black sea of stars that was out there tapping his foot while his jaw felt so tight and rigid. She had a hold over him that he was trying to shake off. Her whimpers, the way her mouth and skin tasted, everything about her had him feeling like he could lose himself inside of her for hours more. Delgado knew he was rough with her, not as rough as he could have been. She took him all of him, submitted to him even if it was in exchange for her own sweet release, and watching her underneath him was sublime.

‘That fucking bitch’ The thought repeated within his mind in annoyance and frustration. Delgado was trying to think of anything else but then he heard her faintly get into his personal shower and soft whine came from her. A whine probably from the pain and soreness within her tender muscles, he thought begrudgingly. He was able to tell she hadn’t cleaned herself in a few days with how much blood and dirt was caked onto her skin and in her hair. Delgado wondered if Ghoul even ate in the last few days. Several of his assigned contacts that kept tabs for him within The Key would always comment on the obscene amount of aurora she had been ingesting, something that needed to end if he was going to utilize her to her fullest potential. 

Delgado knew he couldn’t kill her. He acknowledged if she was anybody else, he would without a second thought. The UC had made several attempts in the past to get past the defenses of the Crimson Fleet and most were painfully obvious from any perspective that wasn’t military. The last attempt the man had faltered so easily with his lies and his attempts to be something he was not. After the third time hesitating with an order Delgado was swift to fire his gun directly into the traitor's head. It was as if she belonged within the Fleet and everything about her was the complete opposite of what the UC SysDef’s or Ranger’s could ever produce. Ghoul was a wild card, she did not shy from violence or moral ambiguity, and at the end of the day was more ruthless than some of the members he had with him over the years.

#starfield #wip wednesday #delgado starfield #delgado fanfic #starfield fanfiction #fang writes #delgado x ghoul #im slackin so bad #but i mean #its okay not to produce content #but i love this story #im just working on other stuff #and i also have a bit of a writers block #delgado pov

[ellie-winthrope]

To Each Their Own - [Gavin]

After more than a week had passed since the sniping incident at Twin Leaves Orphanage, Gavin visited the Lucien Bioscience Research Center.

A follow-up fic to "Shadow of Doubt", with reference to the end of Season 1: Chapter 6-19 of the game's plot.

Words: 2306 words

What is Lucien's connection to Black Swan?

That was the single question concerning the professor that constantly gnawed on Gavin’s mind. For the sake of the girl’s safety, he was determined to find out the answer. Yet, an unexpected twist had come his way. Commander Leto, his superior, had suddenly ordered him to cease all investigations related to Lucien as the STF had other plans for the latter.

The order didn’t make sense to Gavin, especially when Leto had refused to disclose the details of these plans when he asked about it. Instead, the commander had told him to just focus on his investigations on Black Swan and even subtly reminded him again to not allow his work be affected by his personal feelings. Despite feeling indignant about it, bound by duty, Gavin had no choice but to comply with the commander’s order.

However, that didn't mean that he couldn’t’ to pursue the truth on his own terms.

After taking a day's leave under the guise of a much-needed break, Gavin dressed himself in plain clothes and made his way to the Lucien Bioscience Research Center. He expected his request for an impromptu meeting with the professor to be rejected at the security booth. To his surprise, the request was granted with ease and he was promptly led to Lucien's office by a research assistant, as though his visit had been expected beforehand.

As Gavin stepped into the office, Lucien had shifted his attention away from the computer screen to meet his gaze. The professor's violet eyes as they locked with Gavin's amber ones had shown no sign of surprise or unease. Moreover, Gavin could tell from the steady look in those eyes that Lucien had not only anticipated his arrival but was also aware of the purpose behind this sudden visit.

“Good afternoon, officer,” the professor greeted while offering a reserved smile and clasping his hands together on the desk. “How may I assist you today?”

With his suspicion confirmed by the subtle nuances of Lucien's demeanor, Gavin proceeded to take his seat across the desk. He wasn't typically one for delicate maneuvers, but he was prepared to engage in this dance of discretion if that was Lucien's preference.

With a deliberate move, he drew his ID card and badge from his jacket pocket. These proofs of his affiliation with the Special Task Force were laid out on the desk between them, a silent yet potent declaration of his intent and standing.

“On behalf of the Special Task Force," Gavin began, his voice steady and unwavering, “I am here to formally request for your cooperation in answering a few questions related to an incident that took place at the abandoned building near the Twin Leaves Orphanage more than a week ago.”

This pretense of his visit being official business was a risky gamble. There was a chance of Lucien seeing through his facade, or worse, words of his unauthorized visit leaking back to the STF, exposing his defiance of direct orders. Yet, amid these risks, Gavin maintained his composure. His resolve remained unwavering, his mind poised and fixed firmly on his objective.

Only a select few were privy to the details of the sniping incident and Commander Leto's directive to leave Lucien untouched meant that it was improbable for Lucien to have encountered any prior or future inquiries from the STF before Gavin's impromptu visit. Besides, Gavin knew that revealing his personal motives would only narrow down his chances of extracting the answers he sought from Lucien.

Lucien's eyes flicked briefly to the ID card and badge before returning to meet Gavin's gaze. There was an inscrutable depth beneath the surface of those violet eyes, as if they could peer through Gavin's facade of authority and discern his true intentions.

“Of course,” the professor responded, his voice warm and inviting as he placed his previously clasped hands flat on the desk. “I am more than willing to answer any questions you have to the best of my ability.”

“I appreciate your cooperation, Professor Lucien,” Gavin said as he retrieved his ID card and badge from the desk, before slipping them back into his jacket pocket with practiced ease. “Before we delve into the specifics of the incident, I would like to know if you are familiar with the purpose of the Special Task Force.”

Lucien maintained a calm demeanor as he nodded in acknowledgment. “Through some acquaintances, I have come to understand that the Special Task Force is tasked with overseeing Evolvers and handling incidents related to Evol abilities.”

Gavin took note of Lucien's carefully chosen words and the casual mention of his extensive connections. After all, the STF was an independent organization that operated discreetly and was never disclosed to the public, much like the existence of Evol and Evolvers. Thus, it was known only to those Evolvers who had either crossed paths with the STF or had been directly involved with its operations.

Gavin hadn’t expected Lucien would openly divulge such information. It felt calculated, perhaps a ploy to test his reaction. Nevertheless, this disclosure represented a step forward in his quest to uncover more information about the professor. Eager to maintain the momentum of their dialogue, Gavin pressed on with the conversation.

“I see,” Gavin said, pausing slightly. “Then, let us move on to the incident. Can you explain why you were in the vicinity of the orphanage on that particular night?”

Lucien's reply came smoothly. “I was accompanying Miss Lea home after we finished watching the premiere of her latest documentary at the orphanage,” Lucien explained. “Due to the unexpected change in weather, we decided to take a shortcut that passed by the abandoned building.”

To the untrained ear, Lucien's words would seem straightforward, but Gavin knew better. Each phrase was meticulously woven, not just to convey the necessary but to embed messages meant solely for those who were meant to understand.

The way the professor addressed the girl wasn't merely polite. It was a nuanced signal, a way to subtly highlight the differences in their connections to her. It could also be interpreted as a veiled challenge. By hinting at Lucien’s closeness to the girl, it became a subtle provocation that was aimed at unsettling Gavin. Nonetheless, Gavin kept his composure as he had never lost sight of his primary objective for meeting the professor that day.

Another phrase with double meaning would be the mention of "unexpected change in weather" by Lucien. They both were aware that it wasn't a natural occurrence. Instead, it was caused by Gavin's wind Evol spiraling out of control, which prompted the professor to reveal himself as an Evolver as he used his Evol to shield the girl from harm.

In that critical moment, Lucien had handled the situation with an ease that belied his usual reserved demeanor. His calmness in the face of imminent threat had revealed a depth of experience with such high-stakes scenarios, a stark contrast to his public persona as a reclusive researcher.

This familiarity with danger was what made Gavin even more wary of the professor. Yet, if Lucien had persisted in concealing his Evol and maintaining his facade as an unassuming researcher, he could have avoided further scrutiny and suspicion. So…

“Why did you choose to use your Evol at that time?” Gavin asked.

He refrained from mentioning the glaring risk Lucien had taken at that time, the risk of drawing the unwanted attention of the STF that was known for its interest in Evolvers. Although unspoken, there was a hint of a smile dancing at the corners of Lucien's lips, which suggested that he understood the deeper implications of Gavin's inquiry.

“It was instinct,” Lucien replied evenly, his voice betraying nothing. “When someone important to you is in imminent danger, the instinct to protect overrides any personal consequences. Surely, as someone dedicated to protecting others, you can understand this sentiment as well, officer?”

Gavin's gaze had sharpened at Lucien's words. The professor had not only reiterated the girl's significance to him but also masterfully steered the conversation to challenge Gavin's own principles as a guardian. It was a cunning maneuver that momentarily shifted the focus away from himself to Gavin's sense of duty.

Even so, Gavin sensed a thread of truth weaving through Lucien's statement. It led him to consider whether the diversion wasn't solely a strategic maneuver but also a veil over a moment of rare honesty. Although it could have been another one of the professor's cunning ruses, he was inclined to believe in those words of his … at least, for now.

A thought had suddenly occurred to Gavin, which caused his eyes to flick to the clock on Lucien's desk. After realizing the current time, a feeling of restlessness started creeping over him. He had intended for his visit to be not more than an hour since staying any long in the research center could tip off the STF about his meeting with Lucien. However, it had already been half an hour and he still hadn’t made much progress in deciphering the professor’s intentions. His time was running out and this visit might be the only opportunity he had to question Lucien. Recognizing the urgency, Gavin knew it was time to abandon the subtleties for a more direct line of questioning.

 “Are you familiar with the Black Swan, professor?”

The question hung heavily between them. Gavin's piercing gaze remained fixed on the professor’s expression, attempting to decipher any hint of awareness or astonishment at the mention of the name. Yet, Lucien's demeanor remained unfazed, his expression as impassive and collected as it had always been, revealing nothing.

“Ah, the concept of a Black Swan,” Lucien responded casually, his tone nonchalant. Upon seeing Gavin's puzzled look, he raised an eyebrow as he elaborated, “An unforeseen and impactful event, often recognized only in hindsight. Isn’t that what you are referring to?”

Frustration simmered beneath Gavin’s composed facade, especially when Lucien's innocent response had seemed entirely natural, too natural. With a subtle narrowing of his amber eyes, Gavin pressed on, his voice steady yet imbued with a subtle undercurrent of tension.

“No, I am referring to the global criminal organization, The Black Swan Collective. There are evidences of the group’s involvement in a series of Evol-related incidents that have been happening throughout Loveland City, including this recent incident that had taken place at the abandoned building.”

“Furthermore, the fact that Lea was caught up in this recent incident together with you, who are an Evolver,” Gavin continued without breaking his gaze away from Lucien, “it naturally casts a shadow of doubt on you, professor.”

Gavin observed a subtle shift in Lucien's demeanor at the direct mention of the girl's name, a fleeting change so minute it might have gone unnoticed by the less discerning observers. Nonetheless, the professor’s expression remained unfazed as he met Gavin's sharp gaze.

“Your concern is understandable,” Lucien began, his tone appeared both calm and thoughtful. Yet, there was a distinct sharpness underlying his following words that was discernible only to those attuned to notice. “However, it is important to remember that correlation doesn't necessarily imply causation. My association with Miss Lea and our involvement in that incident might merely be a coincidence.”

While maintaining an unwavering eye contact with Gavin, a hint of a smile touched the professor's lips, which seemed unassuming and yet conceited at the same time. “My primary focus has always been my research and its potential to benefit society. Any presumed connection between myself and The Black Swan Collective is purely speculative.”

The professor's tone, gestures, and expressions had been flawless throughout the conversation. However, Gavin knew that this perfection was due to Lucien's skill in masking the truth, rather than him being innocent. Despite this, it would be futile to keep pressing further without any concrete evidence and a quick glance at the clock had told him that his time was up.

It was time to conclude this visit.

“Understood, Professor Lucien,” Gavin said, managing to keep his voice steady and free of the frustration simmering beneath. “Thank you for your time and cooperation. Please keep this conversation between us.”

Lucien nodded with a knowing smile, as if to acknowledge the unspoken understanding between them. “Of course, I value the privacy of our conversation as much as you do,” he replied meaningfully. “Should you require further assistance with your investigation, don't hesitate to reach out.”

With the conversation concluded, Gavin nodded in acknowledgment and rose from his seat. As Lucien rose to show him out, Gavin raised a hand to refuse the offer.

“No need, professor. I will show myself out. I wouldn't want to take up any more of your valuable time.”

Lucien acknowledged his decision with a nod. His expression was one of understanding mingled with a faint trace of amusement. “Very well, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, officer.”

Taking this as his cue, Gavin turned sharply and made his way towards the door. Just as he was about to step out of the office, Lucien's voice had stopped him.

“Officer Gavin.”

Pausing, Gavin looked back and saw Lucien with an enigmatic smile on his face.

“Take care.”

Uncertain of the true intention behind those words, Gavin nodded sternly before stepping out into the hallway and closing the door behind him.

Regardless of whether it was before or after this conversation, one fact remained unchanged and that was…Gavin could never trust Lucien. Even so, he couldn’t deny the professor's genuine concern for the girl's wellbeing. Whether it was driven by personal gain or other motives, it was undeniable that the professor was willing to risk his own interests for her sake.

In fact, their mutual desire to protect the girl might be the one and only factor that made them, in a peculiar sense, allies.

#mr love queen's choice #mr love mobile #恋与制作人 #love and producer #Mr love fanfic #mlqc fanfic #love and producer fanfic #mlqc #mlqc gavin #mlqc bai qi #mr love gavin #mr love bai qi #gavin bai #bai qi #白起

[thedummysdummy]

S2 Ch 44: The Other Side

Obviously this is VERY spoilery. But I couldn't help but consider Victor's side, so here we are.

Of course the first words out of her mouth were an exclamation of jubilation. But more importantly, the first word out of her mouth was my name. The whirlwind of emotion which had taken hold of my heart during the last few minutes had not yet ceased; in fact, it simply glowed with the fires of relief and pride. 

“Hmm, I heard everything.” 

The first order of business was to get the girl out of the pool and back into my arms where she belonged. I paused at the water’s edge, a memory I’d only recently regained turning slowly behind my eyes like a glittering crystal. The girl had jumped into a pool such as this before, hadn’t she? Images of a crimson dress hugging her wet form and diamond earrings catching the glow of the pool lights superimposed themselves over her now and I felt a sharp pain in my chest. The memories felt both foreign and familiar, her arms around my neck, her lips on mine for the very first time…

I blinked and lowered my arm, realizing I’d presented the completely incorrect angle in my memorial stupor. Thoughts lingered on the surface of my parted lips, but somehow I didn’t have the strength to pry them from where they clung. 

I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.

I love you.

I…have to go away soon. I don’t know when I will return. 

No, no, absolutely not. Promises not made were promises that could not be broken, and saying goodbye was a promise of a new hello. And the word ‘goodbye’ tasted like a stream of acid burning its way from my trembling lips down my dry throat and directly into my quivering heart. 

She stared at me, the confusion evident in the deep pools of her irises. It seems she had something to say as well, but I did not know if I could handle hearing her voice. The handkerchief she’d so tenderly placed on my breast sprung to mind and I pulled it from my pocket, wanting to remove the droplets of water from her face as quickly as possible. The way they ran down her cheeks too closely resembled tears and I knew I couldn’t handle her tears in this moment. 

Yet I found myself removing those precious droplets with the utmost care, memorizing the curves of her face beneath my fingertips. The way her nose ended softly, the high arch of her brows. Her jaw, so often these days set with determination to match the burning fire in her intense eyes. 

It seemed she sensed my hesitation as I saw a flicker of sadness in her posture. She’d gotten nearly as good at reading me as I had her, it seemed, but as usual the girl simply lifted her chin and flashed me a big smile. 

“See? This gift is very handy, isn’t it?” 

All I could do was sigh helplessly as the most tender word in my vocabulary slipped out. “Dummy.” 

~~~

Dealing with the press was certainly something familiar and almost mundane. Their questions, though irritating, were nothing I couldn’t handle. Mr. Meng did his utmost best to throw me off while appearing friendly, but such things were also well within my ability to handle. 

What did echo in my chest, however, was a sense of urgency. I’d broken the rules and I knew my time was short. I could feel the grains of sand in my hourglass trickling away as the minutes passed. These were minutes wasted on them; minutes I should be spending with her. 

She needed to be dry. She needed to be warm. She needed to spend as many of those minutes in my arms as possible. By the time we parted with the press and made it back to my car, exhaustion had begun to settle into the crevices where the adrenaline had been. I turned up the heat and began to drive, my thoughts a tangled ball of thread in my mind. The entire thing was coated with a bitterness which lingered on my hand after shaking Mr. Chang’s. 

It took great effort to find the end of the thread and even more to begin following it, untangling and attempting to organize the stream which seemed only to re-knot itself behind my concentration. It wasn’t until only the sound of the engine broke the silence that I realized the girl had been speaking, but I hadn’t heard a word of it. “What were you just saying?” 

Like a child she pulled at my sleeve with a frown pulling at her sweet face. “I was talking about that Meng Chang!”

Of course she was, what else would I expect? It took some time to find a complete thought with which to answer her; urgency colored any attempt at a casual response. All I could think about was what I saw when I shook that man’s hand. In the end, what came out was simply a warning. “Meng Cheng appears to be amiable on the surface, but is actually very shrewd. There will likely be further troubles down the road when dealing with him in the future.” 

She had to know. She had to be prepared, because I knew I could not be at her side. But again I could not bring myself to give her any sort of warning as to that. “You should be more careful around him from now on.” 

No surprise filled my heart when she immediately turned my warning back on me. For the time being she was correct, but would she even remember those three letters when the time came? Would ‘LFG’ mean anything in my absence? “Mm. Moving forward, I…” But the words stuck in my throat. There was no more I. There was only her and the strength she had gained which I had been unable to see past my own emotions. 

She was as prepared as I could have made her, but that didn’t stop the sourness which was growing in the deepest parts of my soul. 

I was grateful, then, when she attempted to lightheartedly change the subject. She obviously sensed my hesitation, but I was grateful she chose not to push. Or so I thought…”So what was going through your mind when you saw me falling into the pool? After all, a certain someone seemed to be hemming and hawing when he came running…Victor, do you have something you wanted to say to me, but feel a little embarrassed to say out loud?” 

So she had noticed. The same thoughts began again swirling in my mind and I somehow wondered if she had gained some power of telepathy. However, her continuation somewhat rested my soul. I can’t help but chuckle at her surety. “I do have something to say to you. But for something so important, does a certain someone really want to hear it in the car?” 

Her light protest and my resulting quip almost allowed me to forget what I actually needed to tell her. The familiar flow of our conversation sat heavily on my chest while simultaneously lifting my heart. I wanted the rest of our time to be perfect. If I could have only one more night before my life faded to midnight, I could only wish for it to be the most beautiful night possible. 

“Also, have you forgotten something?” 

She looked at me with confusion and amusement creeped into my voice. “The two lantern festival tickets that were placed inside the proposal, were they simply for me to take a look at?” I watched with amusement as she rediscovered them and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I even thought that perhaps it was a special surprise you prepared…but now it appears a certain dummy herself has forgotten about it.” 

Disappointment seems to dim the color in her eyes as she notices the time. “At my side, you will always have enough time.” But myself? I’d simply have to make the time I had left be enough time. 

~~~

Could she tell how desperately I held her hand as we weaved our way through the streets of the festival, a sky of lantern-stars surrounding us as if we strolled through the very heavens. Her arm goes taut as the girl stops and I pause one step later, looking back to see the light and shadows dancing across her face. She seems deep in thought as another memory springs unbidden to my mind. 

“Are you planning to write ‘may all wishes come true’ again?” 

The words slip out with very little thought; my mind was still wrapped up in reliving this memory I was experiencing for the first time…again. It made very little sense, yet I was more grateful now for the ‘extra time’ than I could ever have predicted. It felt, somehow, like a small gift offered as condolence for what was to come. 

She seems surprised and I simply point at her face with a chuckle. I long ago learned to read you, my dearest dummy, I wanted to say, but simply gave her the most subtle of smiles and pinched her finger. In this moment I would have found a way to give her the moon if she asked. An ice cream seemed the most mundane of wishes, but something within me sighed with relief. It was a promise I could surely keep. “Sure, what flavor do you want?” Her mumbling and stumbling at my acceptance caused me to laugh a much-needed laugh. “There isn’t any here, but let’s go check out the place up ahead. The path ahead of us is still very long.” 

I took her hand again, hoping that I had been correct. There was no doubt in my mind that we could find the ice cream she’d so brashly requested, and the physical distance ahead of us did, indeed, hold plenty of opportunity. However, I felt the path of our time together crumbling at our feet. We weave our way casually through the crowd, the beating of my heart outpacing the stride of my feet. 

I know I should tell her. But where do I begin? 

In the end, I didn’t have to broach it at all. My hand swayed and I turned my head slightly to meet her dazzling eyes. “Mr. ‘deliberately being mysterious’ CEO Victor, can you tell me now? What was it that you wanted to tell me earlier?” 

All I could do was brush the question aside with a quip and carry on as if the words weren’t chewing on my throat and tongue. I was favored at that moment as my eyes fell on a certain sign. We paused on a small bridge where I stepped a little closer and stared deeply into her eyes. In those eyes I could see every moment of multiple lifetimes and I reveled in them, feeling their warmth soaking into the cold places in my heart for a moment. If given enough time they may have thawed it completely, but I didn’t think I could handle what came next with a heart of flesh. 

My eyes broke away from her face and I deflected by pointing at the sign I had spotted ahead. “It seems a certain someone’s wish is about to come true immediately.” The current of emotions were clear on her face. Surprise and joy mingled with frustration evident in her clenched hands. All I can do is chuckle and brush her cheek with the pad of my thumb. “I’ll never break the promises I’ve made to you. So, before that, let’s satisfy the wish of a certain dummy first.” 

She took the bait. I knew she would. But I didn’t expect her ‘condition.’ “Then you wait for me here!” 

Immediately my response was to deny and catch hold of her hand. This path of ours diverged any step now, and the thought of letting her go felt as if my own body was being torn in half. “Do you really need a sense of mystery to buy ice cream?” came from my lips, but what I meant was “Do you really need to leave me alone in these last moments of agony? Can’t you see how desperately I want you to stay by my side until the very last possible moment? Hold my hand. Look into my eyes. Tell me every detail of your life. Be your childish, impish, exasperating, perfect self. 

“Tell me that you love me.” 

But my earlier realization returned to my mind. Who was the real dummy? She could stand on her own two feet, now. And sooner or later, I was going to have to let her go. And so I began to laugh, both at her ‘deal’ and at myself. “Childish…Then remember to walk a little faster. The lantern show is about to start.” 

My eyes lingered on her familiar form as it disappeared into the crowd. My heart burned each time she turned back to check that I hadn’t moved, almost as if she knew that I would soon be leaving again. Each time I smiled and waved her on, shaking my head slightly in amusement. Such an endearing little dummy.

But as she walked away, I began to feel an increasing sense of concern. Surely it was just anxiety of breaking my promise to stay here until her return against my will causing my heart to beat faster and my palms to sweat. I pushed those damp palms into my pockets and leaned against the railing to await her return. 

The moment she emerged from the shop, my eyes returned to their magnetic north. There was a bounce and a sense of haste in her gait and I could feel her eyes on me, as well. Some portion of me wished to push through the gathered crowd and return to her side, but I forced myself to allow her to return to my side on her own. 

All around me, lanterns began rising into the air. They obscured my view with their gently glowing forms, through which I squinted to keep track of the girl. 

“Victor!”

I hear her voice and the smile on my face grows as I turn in her direction. I still couldn’t see her clearly, but I knew that only moments stood between us. My senses were enveloped by the flickering of candles and the shouts of excited festival goers, but the girl pauses with confusion in her eyes. A cold feeling of dread douses the fire in my stomach as I look into those pools. So, the time has come. 

Despite all my preparations for this exact moment, I feel a sourness filling my nose and throat, causing me to swallow hard to keep back the threatening mistiness in my eyes. I called her by name, hoping that I could at least leave her with a few parting words. “Remember to continue doing what you have to do.” 

But her response simply confirms my fears. “...Do you know me? Who are you?” She moved closer to me and I felt my hands straining to reach out and pull her into my arms. Her struggle is obvious as she stares at me, grasping her chest in pain. Every cell in my body screamed that I needed to comfort her. I needed to brush her hair away from her cheek and tell her that everything would be fine. “Vi…ctor.” 

She repeats my name again and again, seeming to find less and less meaning in it with each repetition. I attempt a smile and shake my head slightly. “That’s fine. I’ll leave now.” Against my nature I turn and take a step away from her, feeling as if the air around me had turned to gelatin which I struggled to step through. At that exact moment, the crowd grew particularly excited and I allowed myself to slip away into its depths, quickly sweeping me away from my northern star. 

Amidst the streaming beams of brightly-colored fireworks, I found the world around me fading away. And with it, I felt my memories trickling away into the grains of sand which began falling around me. 

I find myself standing in a vast desert with only the presence of a small boy next to me. “Are you ready to bear the price?” he asks and I find myself nodding through the tears which I could feel on my cheeks. I didn’t know why they were there, who this boy was, or what I must have done, but somehow I knew I’d been preparing for this. 

My feet scatter bits of broken glass as I step through them, following the little boy deeper into the desert.

#spoilers #mlqc season 2 #apparently pg didn't give me enough pain because i needed moar #mr love mobile #mr love victor #mr love victor fanfic #mr love queen's choice #mlqc victor fanfic #mlqc li zeyan #mlqc victor #mlqc #love and producer fanfic #love and producer victor fanfic #love and producer victor #love and producer li zeyan #love and producer

[lia-jones]

Resistance - Evol: Chapter 29 - No matter what happens

“This will hurt a little.” He warned, gently pressing the gauze pad with Betadine on my cut. “Let me know if I’m pressing too hard.”

I nodded in silence, enduring the sharp sting on my hand as he applied the antiseptic. I couldn’t even face him, ashamed of my meltdown. Not long before, I had left him. I had rejected him, blamed him for his past, when mine was even worse. He was the one that had every reason to want to be away from me. And still, he was tending to my cut, his white shirt stained with my blood and tears.

“You should’ve known better than to pick up the shards.” He scolded me.

I nodded again, resigned, taking whatever backlash he had saved for me. I had been a coward. I still wasn't sure if I was one for trying to take my life or for not going through with it. He let out a tired sigh.

“I’m sorry. I’m not very good at this.”

I felt despicable. Not only was I keeping very important secrets from him and adding to his burden with my problems, but now I was making him feel guilty and inadequate. I held his shoulder with my left hand.

“You’re doing great.” I managed to speak through the lump in my throat. “Thank you for doing this.”

“You don’t need to thank me for any of it.”

He looked me in the eyes. I could see an ocean of sadness in that beautiful gray.

The sounds of the outside world trickled into our silent conversation: A door opening, followed by children’s laughter. My brother’s voice fooling around soon followed.

“They’re here.” I jumped from the bed. “And Cristina is here with the kids too. They can’t see-”

“Go greet them downstairs.” Victor got up as well, his poker face on. “I’ll clean it up.”

I looked myself in the mirror. My eyes were puffy, my makeup was a mess, and there was a large bandage on my hand. I tried my best to clean the smudged mascara, hoping a little attitude would help cover up.

“Hey, Bug!” I opened my arms as I reach downstairs, welcoming him into a hug. “Oh God, I missed you so much!” I squeezed him in my arms. “How was your day?”

“We went to the Science Museum!” He practically shone as he spoke. “We made a lot of cool experiments, learned about insects and smaller organisms, and we got to pet a dog!”

“A dog?” I smiled, confused.

“It belonged to an old lady we came across on the street, but the dog was nice, and she let us pet him.” He looked down. “What happened to your hand?”

“Just a minor accident, nothing serious.”

“Dad?” Owen looked behind me. “Dad!”

Victor barely had the time to lift the towel he was holding before Owen wrapped his arms around his waist.

“Careful, this is sharp, it can hurt you.” He put the towel full of mirror shards on the counter, kneeling to hug his son. “And I should wash my hands too, I must have glass dust on me. But I think one hug won’t be a problem.”

“I didn’t know you were here!” Owen walked around his father, as he dumped the towel in the trash. “Aunt Cristina took me and Ana to the science museum, I was going to tell you all about it when I called you tonight.”

“Was that the bathroom mirror?” Josh pulled me aside, whispering to me. “What happened? I told Dad he shouldn’t have let you come with him, what did he do to you?”

“He did nothing to me.” I pulled him to the greenhouse before he remembered to go throw punches. “He was there for me, he bandaged my hand.”

“Stop defending him! I know Mom was up to something, this feels like Daniel all over again.” Josh gritted between his teeth. “And if he hurt you in any way, Tiny, I swear to God-”

“Quit being a twat, he’s not Daniel!” I smacked him with my left hand. “This is nothing like Daniel, Josh… He is a good man, he’s nothing like him. If anything, in this situation, I’m Daniel.”

“Andy, no, don’t say that…”

“I am.” I looked him in the eyes. “I’m the one hurting him, not the other way around. I’m the toxic one. He’s better off without me, trust me. Actually, everyone is.”

“That can’t be true…” Josh half smiled at me. “Andy, what happened on that island? Is it still your illness, you’re pushing him away because you are dying, is that it?” He looked at me with tears in his eyes. “Tell me, are you?”

I remembered having the weight of impending death on my shoulders, the fear of what and who I would leave behind. Those days felt so simple now.

“No, it’s all under control.” I gave him a weak reassuring smile. “I’m not dying.”

“Then what’s happening, Andrea?” He almost pleaded.

“Where’s Vó Bia? And Dad, for that matter?”

“Vó Bia didn’t want to stay for lunch, she drove back north with the uncles.” Josh shrugged, resigned with my non-answer. “Dad said he wanted to lie down when we were in the car, I guess that’s where he went.”

“It’s almost noon, these people will want to eat.” I walked towards the kitchen. “I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about me.”

“You’re really not going to tell me?” Josh stood in place, a hurt look on his face. “Your own brother?”

“There’s nothing to tell, Josh. People die, marriages end.” I smiled weakly at him. “And we move on.”

I found Victor in the kitchen, wearing an apron, cutting vegetables for lunch. Cristina was beside him, yammering about everything they had seen at the science museum, almost as excited as the kids. Beneath her loose shirt, one could tell a baby bump starting to show. I noticed my father looking at it, sitting by the kitchen island, an empty glass and a bottle of whiskey beside him.

“Undecided?” I sat beside him.

“Your mother wouldn’t let me drink before noon. Today is about her, I should respect her wishes.”

“Do I have to respect her wishes?” I took a glass from the cabinet, taking the bottle to myself.

“No alcohol before lunch.” Victor casually took the bottle away. Like a devoted husband. Like we were still together. I didn’t argue back. That small familiar gesture, that little piece of warmth, it brought me comfort. A reminder of happier days.

It’s weird how the lack of one can make a whole place feel empty, no matter how many people are in it. And I guess everyone could feel that emptiness because they let it be filled with silence, each one of us lost in our own thoughts. I left the kitchen and went to the room that led to the greenhouse, where my piano was. I sat at it, noticing how empty the straw chair beside it looked. The chair where she sat.

Play that one I like.

Tiny Dancer, an Elton John song. Actually, my love for Elton John and his prowess at the piano came from her, and from how happy she looked whenever I played his songs. I opened the piano lid slowly, tracing the keys with the tip of my fingers. I had been feeling so lost lately, maybe the music would remind me of who I was. But that seemed to be long gone. I couldn’t make a sound of it.

“Undecided?” I heard my father speak from behind me.

“Something like that.” I closed the piano lid. He sat in my mother’s chair.

“Your husband is here.” He whispered softly, smiling at me.

“You called him, didn’t you?” I gave him an accusatory look.

“He called me, asking for permission to come. I said that, as always, he would be welcomed into my home as one of my own children. And now he’s making us lunch.”

“Yes.” I smiled briefly, looking at the door. For someone whose life was practically spent bossing others around, it was uncanny how Victor understood the value of these little acts of service, and how willing he always was to do them.

“And for the first time since you got here, the shadow in your eyes is gone.”

“Dad…”

“Victor told me he would be returning to Loveland tomorrow morning. Maybe he could give you a ride home.”

“You need me here.”

“Your family needs you more, Andrea. You should be with them.” My father raised his hand, preventing me from retorting. “Don’t worry about this old geezer, he’ll get back on track eventually. We all must move on with our lives, that’s what your mother would’ve wanted.”

“I’m not leaving you alone.”

My father looked down, letting out a heavy sigh.

“Your mother was always better at this than me. But she’s not here, so I guess I’ll have to do her job. I don’t know what happened between you two, but by the way you were holding hands at the funeral, it can’t be that bad. I know every marriage has its problems, and some do seem unsurmountable, but you know what is harder than marriage? To lose the one you’re married to.”

I looked down, feeling somewhat ashamed. But then again, my father didn’t know what he was talking about. I have to admit that I had considered going back, after that kiss in the kitchen. But now that I knew what I was up against, I couldn’t involve him again. Victor deserved to live a long happy life with his son. Even if that meant without me.

“Thanks, Dad.” I nodded to my father, getting up from my piano.

“Promise me you won’t throw your life away.” He held my hand, stopping me for a moment. “No matter how bad it looks, you two can work it out. Don’t give up on your happiness just yet.”

My father’s words were sweet and hopeful, but the reality was that there was no happiness to look forward to. I had changed, life had changed, so dramatically it was impossible to go back to where I had come. The best I could do was to leave my past silently, leave the people I love basking in the safety of it, and face my future alone. Owen would have a family, Victor would too. 

That was worth any sacrifice.

“Who do you think the most resilient creature is?” Owen asked as I tucked him in.

“Hmmm, I would say cockroaches.” I caressed his curls. “They can survive nuclear explosions, and will survive for days with their heads cut off.”

“Wrong.” He made a playful face. “It’s the tardigrade. Let me show you.”

He opened the book he brought from the museum, showing me a picture of a small gray creature, almost looking like a cute caterpillar with legs.

“That little fellow?”

“They are also called water bears, because they are aquatic creatures. But they can survive the harshest conditions, even in outer space. They make a glass cocoon around them and get into a sort of coma, and they can remain like that for nearly thirty years.”

“That is kind of cool.” I smiled. 

“Sort of.” He shrugged.

“What?” I nudged him. “I think anyone would like to be able to protect themselves from danger in case of it.”

“Well, yes.” Owen stared at his book. “The glass protects them, but it also keeps other things away. If they surround them self with glass, how can they be with the other tardigrades? They must feel lonely.”

I remembered that night in the hotel room in Kehpui, Victor telling me how keeping his Evol a secret had left him to a life of solitude, a life he chose to endure for the sake of protecting the ones he loved. Including me. During the years we’d been together, all the pain that his past brought him, or most of it anyway, he felt it alone, so he wouldn’t burden me. So he would keep me safe.

Now that I was in his shoes, I understood perfectly why he had done it. And watching him be so strong in it all, and at the same time so kind, made me love him even more. Along with that love grew the resolve to return his favour in kind, by keeping the pain all to myself to protect him.

We kissed our son goodnight and left the room. Victor took his jacket, slowly walking to the front door.

“You could come with us.” He glanced behind as he walked. “The jet is big enough for three.”

“My father needs me.” I felt my heart tighten. “Thanks for coming. And for the cooking. And for taking care of us. Of me.”

“I told you, you don’t need to thank me for any of those things.” His eyes lingered on mine for a moment. “Good night. Get some rest.”

I watched him turn to the door and take the handle, turning it. Each second that passed was pure agony. I wasn’t sure if I would see Victor again.

“Come have a drink with me.” He suddenly turned, taking a deep breath.

“Sure, I’ll stay a while longer.” My heart beated faster. “I can pour you a drink.”

“Do you mind if we go somewhere else?”

I instinctively looked backwards, unsure of what to do.

“Owen is safe, your father will keep an eye on him.” Victor argued. “I don’t know when you will return to Loveland, and…” He swallowed. “We need to talk.”

That was my chance to give him closure. Maybe if I put the cards on the table, if I told him I had no intention of going back… Maybe he could rebuild a life without me. Without the hope of having me back. I let him call the car and drive us to the city. I recognized the hotel the moment the car parked.

It was the same room, with the same illuminated patio from years ago. From the day I defended my thesis, the day I introduced him to my family. It was the same bed where we had made love, on the day he gave me my bracelet, where I would keep collecting memories of us together. I brought my left hand to my wrist, turning it softly.

“I remember the last time we were here.” He smiled casually, pouring both of us some brandy. “You were so happy. I was so proud of you. I had been on edge all morning, wondering if you would like to see me in that auditorium, if I was imposing by practically forcing you to introduce me to your family. Wondering what they would think of me.”

“They loved you.”

“That was also the day when I gave you your bracelet.” He pointed at my wrist. “I didn’t have the nerve to tell you back then, but the V did stand for my name. I figured that if you were willing to wear it, that would mean… That you were willing to be mine.”

Each and every charm on that bracelet was a testament of our lives together, our commitment to each other. Every step we had taken together, big or small, was somehow represented in one of the ornaments. The bracelet was still half empty, waiting for more charms to come. I mentally mourned for the space that wouldn’t be filled, the moments we wouldn't live, yet promising myself that I would never take it off, even after we parted. Goodbye is hurtful, but it doesn't erase what once was lived.

“I have never seen you without it ever since. The only time you were without it was because I had to take it off…” His throat tightened. “The day you fell into that coma and had to be hospitalized.”

He took a long sip of his brandy, placing the glass on the wooden table with a thump.

“I have gone through many hardships in my life. Things that changed me, things that scarred me for life. But I have to confess, the hardest one of all…” His eyes turned red. “Was to hold you in my arms, waiting for you to give your last breath. Knowing I was going to lose you.”

“Victor…”

“For some reason, I didn’t. I still don’t know what happened, but I was given the chance to see you smile again, to have you in my arms again. I know what it’s like to lose you. I will not go through that again.”

“No, please. Don’t do this.”

“I know how much I hurt you. I know I broke your trust. And I had dreaded the day I would tell you ever since I fell in love with you, because I knew it would change how you perceive me, and perhaps what you feel about me.”

“This is not about you.”

“No, it’s about us.” He walked towards me. “With the Evols coming back, change was inevitable. I changed, you changed, even your past has changed right in front of your eyes. The people you knew became someone else, and you had to deal with things you couldn’t possibly grasp in one night. It is only natural you feel confused. And that’s why I watched you leave. Because I hoped that, if you returned, it would be with a renewed confidence in us. I must admit my fate had faltered, but my heart never did.”

“You talk about it like it was just some bump in the road.”

“And isn’t it?” His eyes searched for mine. “Some couples have money problems, some others have loyalty issues, we have our baggage. I have my fears, you have yours. But that doesn’t mean we can’t solve them.”

“How? How do we solve them?” I raised my voice in frustration. “You have said it yourself, everything changed! And I really wish we could go back, but we can’t. We made an impossible promise to keep, Victor. We can’t always be the same people. I have-”

With a decided step towards me, he took me in his arms and pressed his lips into mine. And with a single gesture, in one split second, all my reasoning fell through, my glass encasing broke, and I was again exposed to the elements. But with his arm around my waist, I didn’t feel any fear. With his hand threading my hair, I felt like I belonged somewhere. With his lips, he was leading me back home. He broke the kiss softly, watching me carefully, like he was reading my bare soul. And I had no choice but to let him.

“This hasn’t changed.” His fingertips moved softly on my cheek. “What I feel about you hasn’t changed, even if we have.” He blinked slowly, like he usually did when he needed to focus. “But if you feel like the change is so great that we can't move past it, tell me now. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t want this, and I’ll let you go.”

Fear tugged at my heart again, telling me the exit was the best way to go. Without me, he and Owen would be safe. He wouldn’t need to relive the trauma of his past. Owen could grow up happy and protected. I looked him in the eyes, decided to tell him it was over. But as I saw what was in them, the love, the longing, the softness… I couldn’t say a word.

“You owe me nothing, Andrea, except for the truth.” He insisted, his heart beating so fast I could see it pulse in his neck. “If the divorce is what you really want, I will give it to you.”

I held my gaze in his, preparing myself to unleash the lie.

“I…” I faltered.

“The truth, Andrea. No matter how painful it is. That’s all I ask of you.” He pleaded with a pained expression. “What do you want?” He wasn’t sure of what I was going to say. He was expecting me to reject him.

And how much easier would that be, to just pull the bandaid and let him lick the wounds I had inflicted, hoping he would bounce back eventually, maybe find love again, lead a simpler life without Black Swan and roles and dangers or expectations? But he was not asking for me to stay. He was asking for the truth. And my heart was screaming it.

“I want you.” I blinked away the tears I was fighting so hard to hold back. “But I’m scared.”

His eyes lit up.

“Scared of what?”

“Hurting you. Being unworthy.”

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, his thumb wiping a tear from my cheek.

“Idiot.” He croaked.

Scared was an understatement. I was terrified. But most of all, I wanted to believe. With him, everything made sense, I felt like I belonged, that I could undertake whatever challenge life threw at me. I was safe. So when his lips grazed mine, I selfishly chased that feeling and deepened the kiss. And from that moment on, our bodies did all the talking. 

His hand held the back of my head, sliding down my spine, pulling me closer to him. His tongue, tender but probing, taking all he could get and I was willing to give. I wrapped my arms around his neck, not wanting to lose one inch of proximity, instinctively wrapping my legs around his waist as he pulled me up and carried me to his hotel bedroom.

Yes, this was where I belonged, and there was no other place I’d rather be. However, I was keeping secrets from him, and it wasn’t fair to just let things roll without him knowing the whole truth. 

About who I was. And what I’ve done.

“Victor…” I pushed away weakly.

“Mmm?” He mumbled as he nibbled my ear. I almost lost my nerve to speak.

“No, wait.” I shivered as he trailed kisses down my neck. “Victor, we need to stop.”

He froze, lifting his head to look at me, a hurt look in his eyes.

“I’m yours.” I caressed his cheek, trying to smile as my eyes filled with tears. “I want to try, that hasn’t changed.”

“Then what?” He frowned.

“If we are going to do this, it has to be all cards on the table.” I took a deep breath. “We need to talk.”

#mlqc li zeyan #mlqc victor #victor mldd #love and producer fanfic #victor mlqc #growingtogether #mister love queens choice #victor x oc #love and producer #mlqc fanfic #mldd victor #li zeyan

[steves-strapcollection]

You ever get hit with RSD so strong you just have to fucking listen to metal music real loud in your car in the grocery store parking lot until you calm yourself down

#Just feeling a lot like my friends have no use or interest in me now that I haven't produced anything fandom related in months #And that everyone whose ever said they love my writing just lied bc all they care about is when I'm writing fanfic #And that my OC writing is annoying and the lack of interest outside of like 5 people proves I'm actually a shitty writer #I think I'm about to menstruate again and that's why I'm feeling such big emotions over stupid fears #Like idk someone said they “missed my writing” and I've been... Posting stuff #Just... Not fandom stuff

[yourssinfullyquiche]

Night

Hello, all you beautiful people🥰 Another installment in the 4 part Gavin (s.e.x) series. Yes, I was supposed to do Afternoon and Evening first but I'm still writing Afternoon and Evening has yet to be written. So...let's just skip to Night, shall we?

This is an NSFW work, and it's also a little angsty. I had to. I was desperate for angst TW: Unprotected sex, and...nothing else. I'm so bad at this

I come out of the bathroom, fresh as a dewdrop and see Gavin against the headboard of the bed, clothed in his tee and shorts, reading papers with his glasses on. It’s never used often, those glasses. Kept in a black zipped case, it remains on the bedside table ready for use when he wants to. Rather, when he has a splitting headache after reading too much too closely. Though, there are times when he adorns those golden spectacles for the surprised glint in my eyes that leads to heat spreading to my cheeks which results in me tugging my bottom lip with my teeth. 

I have an inkling of why it’s there today because the second I emerge from my shower, his eyes meet mine immediately in a gaze that tells me he’s not OK. It’s the kind where his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. Behind that gaze is the lethargy of his recent mission that ended after a month, a sadness of which he has experienced that he’s yet to tell me. He looks like he’s about to cry driven by fear of loss. Ringed with dark circles, the reports he ought to be reading are abandoned with an unfocused mind. 

I stride towards Gavin, with a resolve of eliminating the feelings which feed into that look. He puts the papers aside and the spectacles on it, arms at his side to welcome my presence on his body. I don’t even bother changing into my pyjamas, only removing my bathrobe and tossing it onto the chair, knowing that his clothes would be strewn all over the floor. Clad only in my delicates, my legs straddle his hips. He cups my behind and pushes me up, securing me comfortably above him, levelled to his face. My hair falls encasing us in a curtain of floral vanilla scent—a secret reprieve, only the two of us share.

Our hands fiddle with our clothes—mine are gone in no time, my fingers move on to his shorts, pull it down in one go and throw it haphazardly. He’s bare and chuckling when he looks at me. “Don’t worry, the other half of my body won’t dare run away.” 

The delivery of that line should have me laughing but his voice is as empty as a hollow tree, something he tries to mask with cheekiness but fails. Though it twinges within, I don’t point it out. Instead I reciprocate with the intended cadence and smack his chest lightly, “I’ll be sure to use that line when you tear my clothes in shreds.”

He purposely averts his eyes all innocently with a satisfied smile on his face. The back of my fingers absentmindedly runs over his cheek as he tucks the spilling locks of my hair to one side. “What’s on your mind?” I ask. 

There, it’s that look again. That look in his eyes tells me he’s so afraid. He breathes heavily and pulls me closer into his warm embrace, protectively cradling the back of my head. I wait for his shaky breaths to dwindle and answer though I know it won’t come as easily. I look back at him to see his eyes glisten wistfully and then he says, “I’m so happy that you’re here with me.”

My face twists first into confusion and then understanding. I don’t pry further because that one line tells me everything I need to know. A smile forms on my face as I cup his cheeks. “There’s no place I will be than in your arms, my love.” 

The smile he gives me is loving and grateful as he brings me into his embrace once more. There’s a small lump forming in my throat, but I swallow it. There will be no tears for now, not when he needs my strength—and it comes full force as my fingers ghost over the deep lines on his body

All sizes with pains that ache my heart. I dance over the fresh gash across his sternum like they’re hot coals burning my fingers. Yes, it burns. It burns my entire being, makes my blood boil that he has to put himself through countless horrors—yes it is not deep, but the marking remains sufficiently angry to leave a scar crossing both his pecs. 

My thoughts halt when he looks at me with a pensive gaze. I remind myself that anger is not what I need now as well. I’ll not let him have the chance to comfort me, not when he’s clearly in need of some love. So, before he utters anything, I kiss lips, one he gladly sinks into. Desperate and breathless it becomes and it makes me float, taking away my mind that would eventually travel down the path of bitter horrifying stories it conjures. 

I caress his cheek with the back of my knuckles. Kiss all over his face. He chuckles as I flutter my eyelashes across his skin. I look into his eyes, tired but always exuding gentle love that sends a rush of warmth through my body. 

No words leave my lips, it only moves to join his again. Our kisses are unhurried and languid, a sweet dance. We save exploring each other’s bodies for another day, for today we yearn only for the warmth such nakedness provides. I raise and sink slowly down his cock. The chorus of sounds leave our lips at the pleasure of fullness we both feel, feeling so close to one another, the warmth that one can only feel when they’re skin to skin. 

One of his hands stays resting on my bottom and the other sneaks up to hold my nape, mine finds its way to the soft strands of his hair, and they stay put for anchor. I feel him engorged and pulsing in me. The burn of my core, the stickiness my legs feel and the incredible need to rise and slam hard into his body. I ignore all the impulse, instead we rock our bodies to a slow rhythm. Moving together and savouring the deliberate thrusts. 

Gavin’s lips caress my neck until they land at the corner of mine. “You feel so good,” he whispers against my lips, choking my sighs once more in a reverent kiss. Tonight, I let my lips take away his grief, my body take away his pain. Perhaps after, words will be shared once more, dead in the twilight wrapped around in sheets heated by the warmth of our bodies. 

The waves of pleasure crests within us yet we never hasten. I feel the usual jolt in my tummy, one look at him tells me we’re both about to fall over the cliff. “Together,” I tell him and he’s about to pull away when I stop him, clamping down. “I want it inside.” He stills, eyes wide as he stares at me for a few seconds. The question is clear. Are you sure? 

Softly he asks to confirm his thoughts, “Is that what you want or are you doing this because you think I want it?” 

I yearn, and perhaps I am doing this for him. But I don’t care. I know he’s the man I want to spend all my nights with wrapped in our sheets, the only one whose golden eyes I ache to meet when I wake. Somehow I know he needs that as well. To be so close to one another until the air we breathe diminishes. 

“I want it…,” breathlessly it dispels from my lips. 

I look at him and his eyes are glassy and dark to a deep shade of bourbon as he kisses my forehead. 

“Then come with me,” says Gavin.

We’re in one tight embrace as our bodies rock once more—a little faster, and within a few seconds we come undone in a gentle rush. I have no plans to move, to feel the emptiness that will instantly wash over—he doesn’t either when his hands stay tight around me. I feel the warmth of the duvet around my skin as we kiss goodnight and say I love yous before we drift to a slumber. 

-

A/N: Thank you for reading❤️ Updates will be quite slow since I'm working now. I had this piece in the drafts as I wrote it immediately after Morning. I waited so long only because I wanted to post it by order but the Afternoon piece is taking longer than expected. It's really out of my comfort zone, so writing it has been a slow process. To those of you reading, I appreciate your patience~

Credits to @cafekitsune for the lovely dividers😚

© YOURSSINFULLYQUICHE2023 — no part of this writing shall be plagiarised, translated or reposted in any way. Likes, reblogs and comments are always appreciated!

Taglist: @playheej@purple-cat-demon@rinharu-purple (if you want to join my taglist, please visit my blog and click the link available on my pinned post)

#mlqc gavin #mlqc smut #mlqc #mlqc gavin fanfic #mlqc gavin smut #mlqc gavin fanfiction #mlqc gavin headcanon #love and producer #mr. love queen's choice #mr love queen's choice #mr love queens choice #mlqc fanfic #mlqc fanfiction #mlqc fluff #mlqc bai qi #mlqc headcanon #mr love fanfic #mr love gavin #mr love #mr love bai qi #quiche writes

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s Investment Date (Preview)

I’ve already revealed all the cards in my hands to you.

[Date Blurb]

Even for the purpose of making rational decisions, it’s inevitable to distance yourself from some emotional influences.

The two of you have already written each other’s names on a blank sheet of paper a long time ago, and you are both ready to devote yourselves to this investment called “Love.”

–

–

[Date Preview]

Victor and I have come to Paris. After three days of meetings, I successfully signed a cooperation agreement with Prisme Inc., I’ve never expected that after this, I’ll discover the mysterious surprise that Victor has prepared for me...

–

“Listening to the lecture with so many people and discussing the topics made me feel as though I was back on campus.”

“And that includes being caught in act by the teacher in class?”

I give a wry grin.

“A few twists and turns on the way are what make the student life so vibrant. CEO Victor, haven’t you experienced the 20 must-do-things in your university life?”

“Such as?”

“Such as – binge-watching a drama with your dormitory roommate under the blanket after the lights are turned off, sneakily sitting in on a lecture you didn’t register for...”

I tilt my head, recalling the things that were popular on university campus.

“And then there’s also the nights of nervousness and heart palpitations of going on a date with the person you like in a deserted part of the campus.”

Before I’ve even finished speaking, I suddenly feel an intense gaze on me.

“A certain someone’s school life was ‘rich’ indeed.”

Victor tosses me a rather distant look. I realize that he’s misunderstood me, and hasten to explain.

“I haven’t experienced the one I mentioned just now either!”

“Oh yeah?”

I can’t discern either delight or anger from Victor’s voice. He just puts one arm on the balcony in front of me. Though his action seems casual, it blocks all the ways out for me.

–– “This is, after all, the one and only ‘investment’ that I want to invest in forever. I must hold on tight.”

—

#PROPS TO ALL THE FANFIC WRITERS LOL. THIS DATE IS GONNA BE GOOOOOLD ٩̋(๑˃́ꇴ˂̀๑) #Back to swooning: WHY ARE YOU SO GOODAMN BEAUTIFUL HNNNGNNNNN AND FOR WHAT 😭🤲 #ahh so many contents to translate again skfkskl 💀💀 #mlqc victor #mlqc li zeyan #mr love victor #mlqc #mr love queen's choice #love and producer #恋与制作人 #李泽言 #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers